Obtain an estimate for the number of atoms in the universe. Make the following assumptions: (a) All of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms in stars. (This is not a ridiculous assumption because over threefourths of the atoms in the universe are in fact hydrogen. Gas and dust between the stars represent only about 15% of the visible matter of our galaxy, and planets compose a far smaller fraction.) (b) The sun is a typical star composed of pure hydrogen with a density of 1.4 g/cm^3 and a radius of 7x10^8 m. (c) Each of the roughly 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy contains the same number of atoms as our sun. (d) Each of the 10 billion galaxies in the visible universe contains the same number of atoms as our Milky Way galaxy.

Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305079373
Author:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Chapter3: Mass Relations In Chemistry; Stoichiometry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 89QAP: By x-ray diffraction it is possible to determine the geometric pattern in which atoms are arranged...
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Obtain an estimate for the number of atoms in the universe. Make the following assumptions: (a) All of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms in stars. (This is not a ridiculous assumption because over threefourths of the atoms in the universe are in fact hydrogen. Gas and dust between the stars represent only about 15% of the visible matter of our galaxy, and planets compose a far smaller fraction.) (b) The sun is a typical star composed of pure hydrogen with a density of 1.4 g/cm^3 and a radius of 7x10^8 m. (c) Each of the roughly 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy contains the same number of atoms as our sun. (d) Each of the 10 billion galaxies in the visible universe contains the same number of atoms as our Milky Way galaxy.

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