--%>
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 neuro-modulators What do you

    What do you mean by the term neuro-modulators? Briefly define it.

    		•
  • Q : Balanced field takeoff Describe the

    Describe the process of balanced field takeoff in brief?

    		•
  • Q : Explain Correspondence limit or

    Explain Correspondence limit or Correspondence principle? Correspondence limit (N. Bohr): The limit at which a more common theory decreases to a more specialized theory when the situations that the

    		•
  • Q : Why the length of a standard meter

    Describe the reason in short why the length of a standard meter re-defined in the year of 1983?

    		•
  • 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 : What is Meissner effect Meissner effect

    Meissner effect (W. Meissner; 1933): The reduction of the magnetic flux in a superconducting metal whenever it is cooled beneath the transition temperature. That is the superconducting materials imitate magnetic fields.

    		•
  • Q : What is Wiens displacement law constant

    Wien's displacement law constant, b: It is the constant of Wien displacement law. This has the value of 2.897 756 x 10-3 m K.

    		•
  • Q : Problem on magnetically coupled pair

    When one coil of a magnetically coupled pair has a current of 5.0A, the resulting fluxes Φ11 and Φ21 are 0.2mWb and 0.4mWb, respectively.  If the turns are N1 = 500 and N2 = 1500, find L1, L2, M and the coeffici

    		•
  • Q : Acceleration during this interval The

    The velocity of a body was observed to be constant throughout five minutes of its motion. Determine its acceleration during this interval?

    		•
  • Q : Define Machs principle Mach's principle

    Mach's principle (E. Mach; c. 1870): The inertia of any specific particle or particles of matter is attributable to the interaction among that piece of matter and the rest of the world. Therefore, a body in isolation would contain no inertia.

    		•