--%>
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 Kirchhoffs law of radiation

    Kirchhoff's law of radiation (G.R. Kirchhoff): The emissivity of a body is equivalent to its absorbptance at similar temperature.

    		•
  • Q : Explain the cause of Brownian motion

    Briefly define or explain the cause of Brownian motion?

    		•
  • Q : Explain Faradays law Faraday's law (M.

    Faraday's law (M. Faraday): The line integral of the electric field about a closed curve is proportional to the instant time rate of change of the magnetic flux via a surface bounded by that closed curve; in the differential form,

    		•
  • Q : Newtons laws of motion or Newtons

    Explain Newtons laws of motion or Newtons first law, second law and third law of motion? Newton's laws of motion (Sir I. Newton)

    Q : Define Occams razor or Ockhams razor

    Occam's [or Ockham's] razor (William of Occam [or Ockham]; c. 1340): It is the suggestion that the simpler a theory is the better. When two theories forecast the phenomena to the similar accuracy, then the one that is simpler is the better one. Furthe

    		•
  • Q : Dielectric Materials Dielectric is a

    Dielectric is a material in which energy can be accumulated. Ideally, it  is  a non-conductor  of  electric  charge  like  insulators, but  an  efficient   supporter  of  electrostatic  fields. The

    		•
  • Q : What is De Broglie wavelength De

    De Broglie wavelength (L. de Broglie; 1924): The prediction that particles too contain wave characteristics, where the efficient wavelength of the particle would be inversely proportional to its momentum, where the constant of the pro

    		•
  • Q : Define Faraday constant Faraday

    Faraday constant: F (M. Faraday): The electric charge fetched by one mole of electrons or singly-ionized ions. It is equivalent to the product result of the Avogadro constant and the absolute value of the charge on an electron; this i

    		•
  • Q : What is curvilinear motion What do you

    What do you mean by the term curvilinear motion? State in brief?

    		•
  • Q : Define Metre or SI unit of length Metre

    Metre: meter; m: The basic SI unit of length, stated as the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum throughout a period of 1/299 792 458 s.

    		•