--%>
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 : What is Magnus effect Magnus effect :

    Magnus effect: The rotating cylinder in a moving fluid drags a few of the fluid about with it, in its direction of rotation. This raises the speed in that area, and therefore the pressure is lower. Therefore, there is a total force on the cylinder in

    		•
  • Q : Define Photovoltaics Photovoltaics (PV)

    Photovoltaics (PV): It transform light directly into electricity. The typical current residential installation of 12m2 could produce around 1,300 kWh pa with a peak of around 1.9kW, though larger and more efficient installations are possibl

    		•
  • Q : Difference between the cathode ray and

    Illustrate the difference between the cathode ray and beta ray?

    		•
  • Q : What is Bernoulli's equation

    Bernoulli's equation - In an ir-rotational fluid, the sum of static pressure, the weight of the fluid per unit mass times the height and half of the density times the velocity squared is steady all through the fluid 

    		•
  • Q : Explain Photoelectric effect

    Photoelectric effect: An effect described by A. Einstein that demonstrates that light seems to be made up of particles, or photons. The light can excite electrons (termed as photoelectrons in this context) to be ejected from the metal. Light with a fr

    		•
  • Q : What is baryon decay Baryon decay - The

    Baryon decay -The idea expected by several grand-unified theories, those classes of subatomic particles termed as baryons (of which the nucleons -- neutrons and protons -- are members) are not eventually stable however indeed de

    		•
  • Q : Explain Null experiment Null

    Null experiment: The experiment which, after being performed, yields no outcome. The null experiments are just as significant as non-null experiments; when current theory predicts an observable result (or predicts there must be no observable result),

    		•
  • Q : Define Pascal or SI unit of pressure

    Pascal: Pa The derived SI unit of pressure stated as 1 N acting over a region of 1 m2; it therefore has units of N/m2

    		•
  • Q : Explain Muon experiment Muon

    Muon experiment: The experiment that demonstrates proves the prediction of time dilation by the special relativity. Muons, that are short-lived subatomic particles, are made with enormous energy in the upper environment by the interaction of energetic

    		•
  • Q : Formula for acceleration What is the

    What is the appropriate formula employed to compute the acceleration? Explain in brief.

    		•