Astronomers have recently discovered a new planet in a faraway solar system with a radius of roughly 1211 km. Spectroscopic results indicate that the atmosphere, whose height is much smaller than the planet's radius, is largely helium, making the discovery truly controversial. Experts have deduced that helium is unlikely to be generated from the planet itself, therefore it is assumed that the helium in the atmosphere was created at the inception of the planet and is completely contained by its gravitational attraction. However, wide disagreement abounds about the composition of the planet. The surface of the planet is clearly composed of aluminum oxide, but some astronomers claim that this aluminum oxide is only a thin crust and that the planet is mostly iron. Given that the atmospheric temperature is 562 ∘C, calculate the minimum density ? of the planet so that its atmosphere could contain helium atoms. The molar mass of helium is 4.002 g/mol and the gravitational constant is 6.670×10−11 m3/(kg⋅s2). Avogradro's number is 6.022×10^23 mol−1 and the Boltzmann constant is 1.380×10−23 J/K.

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter10: Thermal Physics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 57AP
icon
Related questions
Question

Astronomers have recently discovered a new planet in a faraway solar system with a radius of roughly 1211 km. Spectroscopic results indicate that the atmosphere, whose height is much smaller than the planet's radius, is largely helium, making the discovery truly controversial. Experts have deduced that helium is unlikely to be generated from the planet itself, therefore it is assumed that the helium in the atmosphere was created at the inception of the planet and is completely contained by its gravitational attraction.

However, wide disagreement abounds about the composition of the planet. The surface of the planet is clearly composed of aluminum oxide, but some astronomers claim that this aluminum oxide is only a thin crust and that the planet is mostly iron.

Given that the atmospheric temperature is 562 ∘C, calculate the minimum density ? of the planet so that its atmosphere could contain helium atoms. The molar mass of helium is 4.002 g/mol and the gravitational constant is 6.670×10−11 m3/(kg⋅s2). Avogradro's number is 6.022×10^23 mol−1 and the Boltzmann constant is 1.380×10−23 J/K.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Kinetic theory of gas
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics
ISBN:
9781133939146
Author:
Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern …
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern …
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553292
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168000
Author:
Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:
OpenStax College