--%>
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 : Define Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen effect

    Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen effect: EPR effect: Consider the subsequent quantum mechanical thought-experiment: Take a particle that is at rest and has spun zero (0). This spontaneously decays into two fermions (spin 1/2 particles), that stream away in the

    		•
  • Q : Define Planck constant Planck constant

    Planck constant: h: The basic constant equivalent to the ratio of the energy of a quantum of energy to its frequency. This is the quantum of action. This has the value 6.626 196 x 10-34 J s.

    		•
  • Q : Define Rayleigh criterion or resolving

    Rayleigh criterion: resolving power: The criterion for determining how delicately a set of optics might be able to differentiate. This  starts with the supposition that central ring of one image must fall on the first dark ring of the other; for

    		•
  • Q : Brownian motion Brownian motion   - The

    Brownian motion  - The continuous random motion of a solid microscopic particle whenever suspended in a fluid medium due to the effect of ongoing bombardment by molecules and atoms.  

    		•
  • Q : Does solar radiation encompass a

    Does solar radiation encompass a complete spectrum of all the forms of electromagnetic radiation?

    		•
  • Q : How energy transformed in windmills

    Explain how is energy transformed in the windmills?

    		•
  • Q : Report on Radiobiology for Travel Space

    I have a problem in wirting a report on Radiobiology for Travel Space.  Can someone provide me a complete report on the above topic.

    		•
  • Q : Define Tau-theta paradox Tau-theta

    Tau-theta paradox (1950s): Whenever two distinct kinds of kaons, tau and theta (nowadays tau refers to a totally different particle) decay, tau decays into three particles, whereas the theta decays into two. The tau and theta vary onl

    		•
  • Q : What is basic SI unit of electric

    basic SI unit of electric current is termed as Ampere: A (after A.M. Ampere, 1775-1836) The basic SI unit of electric current, stated as the current that, when going via two infinitely-long parallel conductors of v

    		•
  • Q : Define Fermats principle Fermat's

    Fermat's principle: principle of least time (P. de Fermat): The principle, put onward by P. de Fermat that explains the path taken by a ray of light among any two points in a system is for all time the path which takes the least time.

    		•