Universe: Stars And Galaxies
6th Edition
ISBN: 9781319115098
Author: Roger Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Question
Chapter 18, Problem 4Q
To determine
(a)
The evidence that proves the presence of the interstellar gases.
To determine
(b)
The evidence that proves that there is dust in the interstellar medium.
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(a) Rank the following components of the interstellar medium in order of the wavelengths at which they are observed, longest wavelength first: clouds of neutral hydrogen, coronal gas, interstellar dust, nebulae. Longest to Shortest?
(b) Rank the same material in order of decreasing temperature from hottest to coolest. Hottest to Coolest?
Based on what you know about observations of the interstellar medium at wavelengths other than for visible light, select all of the correct statements from the following list.
-The 21-cm radio observations are of neutral hydrogen.
-Much interstellar dust between stars is not visible.
-The source of hot gas observed at X-ray wavelengths is not known.
-All interstellar material is cool.
-Interstellar dust is observed at ultraviolet wavelengths.
-Giant molecular clouds consist mostly of CO molecules.
-Material observed at wavelengths longer than that of visible light is usually cool.
How are giant molecular clouds (GMCs), the loci of most star formation, themselves formed out of diffuse interstellar gas?
What processes determine the distribution of physical conditions within star-forming regions, and why does star formation occur in only a small fraction of the available gas?
How is the rate at which stars form determined by the properties of the natal GMC or, on a larger scale, of the interstellar medium (ISM) in a galaxy?
What determines the mass distribution of forming stars, the initial mass function (IMF)?
Most stars form in clusters (Lada & Lada 2003); how do stars form in such a dense environment and in the presence of enormous radiative and mechanical feedback from other YSOs?
Chapter 18 Solutions
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
Ch. 18 - Prob. 1QCh. 18 - Prob. 2QCh. 18 - Prob. 3QCh. 18 - Prob. 4QCh. 18 - Prob. 5QCh. 18 - Prob. 6QCh. 18 - Prob. 7QCh. 18 - Prob. 8QCh. 18 - Prob. 9QCh. 18 - Prob. 10Q
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- Describe how the 21-cm line of hydrogen is formed. Why is this line such an important tool for understanding the interstellar medium?arrow_forwardA molecular cloud is about 1000 times denser than the average of the interstellar medium. Let’s compare this difference in densities to something more familiar. Air has a density of about 1 kg/m3, so something 1000 times denser than air would have a density of about 1000 kg/m3. How does this compare to the typical density of water? Of granite? (You can find figures for these densities on the internet.) Is the density difference between a molecular cloud and the interstellar medium larger or smaller than the density difference between air and water or granite?arrow_forwardThe mass of the interstellar medium is determined by a balance between sources (which add mass) and sinks (which remove it). Make a table listing the major sources and sinks, and briefly explain each one.arrow_forward
- Consider a grain of sand that contains 1 mg of oxygen (a typical amount for a medium-sized sand grain, since sand is mostly SiO2). How many oxygen atoms does the grain contain? What is the radius of the sphere you would have to spread them out over if you wanted them to have the same density as the interstellar medium, about 1 atom per cm3? You can look up the mass of an oxygen atom.arrow_forwardPrepare a table listing the different ways in which dust and gas can be detected in interstellar space.arrow_forwarddescribe the characteristics of the various kinds of interstellar gas (HII regions, neutral hydrogen clouds, ultra-hot gas clouds, and molecular clouds).arrow_forward
- Describe the life cycles of both low mass and high mass stars, understand how their properties change during each evolutionary stage and how their evolution can be represented on a Hertzsprung-Russell diagramarrow_forwardIf you want to find a sizeable collection of Population Il stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, where would be a good place to look? A. near the Sun B. in a globular cluster high above the Galaxy's disk C. in the Orion Spur D.on the outer surface of giant molecular clouds E. in an open cluster, especially one with a lot of dust in and around itarrow_forwardExplain why interstellar molecules are best observed at radio wavelengths.arrow_forward
- How would the density inside a cold cloud (T=10K) compare with the density of the ultra-hot interstellar gas (T=106K) if they were in pressure equilibrium? (It takes a large cloud to be able to shield its interior from heating so that it can be at such a low temperature.) (Hint: In pressure equilibrium, the two regions must have nT equal, where n is the number of particles per unit volume and T is the temperature.) Which region do you think is more suitable for the creation of new stars? Why?arrow_forwardConsider the following five kinds of objects: open cluster, giant molecular cloud, globular cluster, group of O and B stars, and planetary nebulae. A. Which occur only in spiral arms? B. Which occur only in the parts of the Galaxy other than the spiral arms? C. Which are thought to be very young? D. Which are thought to be very old? E. Which have the hottest stars?arrow_forwardWhere does interstellar dust come from? How does it form?arrow_forward
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