--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain Drake equation

Drake equation (F. Drake; 1961): The method of estimating the number of intelligent, scientific species (that is, able to communicate with other species) in subsistence in our space.

N = R fp ne fl fi ft L.

Here,

N is the number of species explained above at any specified moment in our Galaxy. The parameters it is evaluated from are as follows:

R = the rate of star formation in our solar system (in stars per year);
fp = the fraction of stars that contain planets;
ne = the total number of habitable planets per system with planets;
fl = the fraction of habitable planets on which the life arises;
fi = the fraction of such planets on which the life develops intelligence;
ft = the fraction of such planets where the intelligence grows into a technological civilization which is capable of communication; and
L = the mean life-time of such a scientific civilization.

Out of these quantities, only the first -- R -- is recognized with anything like any reliability; this is on the order of 10 stars per year. The others, most particularly the fractions, are approximately totally pure speculation at this point. Computations made by respectable astronomers vary by something like ten orders of magnitude in the last estimation of the number of species out there.

   Related Questions in Physics

  • Q : Steps to the scientific notation

    Illustrate the steps to the scientific notation? Briefly illustrate the steps.

    		•
  • Q : Branches of physics Briefly list out

    Briefly list out the name of all the branches of physics?

    		•
  • Q : Define Doppler Effect Doppler Effect

    Doppler Effect (C.J. Doppler): The waves emitted by a moving object as received by an observer will be blue shifted (compressed) when approaching, redshifted (that is, elongated) if receding. This takes place both in sound and also el

    		•
  • Q : Define Luxon Luxon : The particle that

    Luxon: The particle that travels solely at c (that is the speed of light in vacuum). All luxons have a rest mass of exactly zero. Though they are mass less, luxons do take momentum. The photons are the prime illustration of luxons (that is the name it

    		•
  • Q : What nucleons altogether in a nucleus

    Explain what does held the nucleons altogether in a nucleus?

    		•
  • Q : What is neutral buoyancy What do you

    What do you mean by the term neutral buoyancy? Briefly illustrate it.

    		•
  • Q : What is Hooke law Hooke's law (R.

    Hooke's law (R. Hooke): The stress exerted to any solid is proportional to the strain it generates within the elastic limit for that solid. The constant of that proportionality is the Young modulus of elasticity for that material.

    		•
  • Q : Bragg's law Bragg's law - Whenever a

    Bragg's law - Whenever a beam of x-rays strikes a crystal surface in which the layers of ions or atoms are often separated, the maximum intensity of the reflected ray takes place when the complement of the angle of incidence, theta (θ), the wave

    		•
  • Q : Current through resistors How do I find

    How do I find out a maximum current flowing through a resistor with just the resistance of the resistor and it's power rating?

    		•
  • Q : Define Constancy principle Constancy

    Constancy principle (A. Einstein): One of the postulates of Sir Einstein's special theory of relativity that puts forth that the speed of light in vacuum is computed as similar speed to all observers, in spite of of their relative mot

    		•