UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

University of London

EXAMINATION FOR INTERNAL STUDENTS

For The Following Qualifications:-

B.Sc. M.ScL

Astronomy 2B12: Astrophysical Processes: Nebulae to Stars

COURSE CODE : ASTR2B12

UNIT VALUE : 0.50

DATE : 18-MAY-06

TIME : 10.00

TIME ALLOWED : 2 Hours 30 Minutes

06-C0084-3-70
© 2006 University College London TURN OVER
Answer ALL SIX questions from Section A and THREE questions from Sec-
tion B

Numbers in square brackets in the right-hand margin indicate a provisional aUocation

of ma:r,imum possible marks for di~'erent parts of each question.
The tbllowing mav be assumed if necessary:

Sp(xxl of light in va(:uo: c = 2.998 x 10 s m s -1 P l a n c k constant: h = 6.626 x 1() -:~4 J s

Solar mass, M+:: = 1.99 x 10 a° kg Parscc, pc = 3.086 x 1016 m
Solar luminosity, L,:, = 3.86 x 102~ W l e V = 1.602 x 10 -19 J
Solar radius, Re:, = 6.9598 x 10s m 'Cosmic' a b u n d a n c e s : X = 0.75, Y = 0.23
Proton mass: 1.007276 ainu = 1.67266 x 10 -2~ kg
4tie mass: 4.0026 anm
G r a v i t a t i o n a l constant G = 6.67 x 10 - i i N m 2 kg -2
Electron scattering (Thomson) cross-s(;ction a~ = 6.65 x 1()-2'~) m 9~

Section A
(Answer ALL questions fiwn this section)

. S u m m a r i z e the principal physical lncchanisms responsible for h e a t i n g a n d cooling [7]

gas in difl'usc, neutral intcrstcllar clouds.

. Give a diagram showing the general b e h a v i o u r of the radio-fi'equency c o n t i n u m n [3]

observed towards ionized nebulae.
Outline the causes for this behaviour, and the physical inferences t h a t can be d r a w n [4]
from observations.

. Define #, the mean molecular weight of a gas. Derive an expression for # given X , [4]
Y, a n d Z (the mass fi'aetions of hydrogen, helium: and 'metals', respectively).
C a l c u l a t e # for (i) a pure-hydrogen gas, (ii) a pure-helimn g~s, (iii) :cosmic' abram- [2]
dances.

. l)escribe w h a t is meant; by Local T h e r m o d y n a m i c Equilibriuln (LTE), listing the [4]

relevent-Inicroscopic physical processes obeyed by the gas and the r a d i a t i o n field
in an UFE environment.
State. with a brief explanation, for which types of stellar a t m o s p h e r e UFE is a good [2]
or a poor approximation.

. W h a t is m e a n t by the E d d i n g t o n Limit for a star? Derive an expression for the [5]

E d d i n g t o n Linfit for stars consisting entirely of ionized hydrogen.
C a l c u l a t e the E d d i n g t o n liinit, in solar milts, for stars of 10, 30 a n d 100M,:.::. [2]
. SulnInarizcthe main obscrvational characteristics of T y p c I and T y p e II supcr- [4]
IlOVae.
Explain why the former can make useful ' s t a n d a r d candles' why the l a t t e r do not. [3]

ASTR2B12/200(i PLEASE TURN OVER

 Section B
(Answer THREE questions from this Sectio70

7. Derive the equations of hydrostatic equilibrium and mass continuity, as used in [5]
stellar-structure, models.
Describe in detail the nuclear reactions that constitute the PP-I process. (Details [5]
of P P - l l etc. are not required.)
Why does nuclear fusion fail to produce elements heavier than iron? Outline how In]
such elements are produced.
Assunfing the pressure at the surface of the Sun, r = R,.,, to be zero, ot)tain a [4]
rough estimate of the pressure at the centre of the Sun (in N m-2), by using the
(;quation of hydrostatic equilibrium.

. Explain the meaning of ionization equilit)rium in the context of a. pure-hydrogel,

[5]
It H region. Include descriptions of case A and case B recoml)ination, stating which
is relevant to H II regions, and why.
Discuss the heating and cooling of a pure-hydrogen nebula, including an estimate Is]
of its temperature. Why is this estimate too high compared to real nebulae?
An idealised nebula consists only of hydrogen with a mfiform number density of [r]
nuclei, n. It is ionized by an embedded star which emits S. ionizing photons s -1.
Derive expressions for the radius Rs and mass Ms of ionized gas.
Calculate numerical values for Rs (in pc) and Ms (in M,v) if S. = 1 0 4.9 s -1. rZ =
10 :~ m -a, and a'B = 2 × 10 -19 m a s -~.

9. The Boltzmann (list,ribution may be written as

n" - .g"exp
,9. { -( E-''kT- E')

Explain each term and state the circumstances under which this equation applies. [a]
Starting with the Boltzmalm equation, derive the Saha equation in the form [9]
n~ni 29i { 27rm~kT / a/2 e -X.n
n,~ 9-. h2 j ,Xl) {--~---}

explaining all terms. [Note: fc~ xe exp(-a2xe)dx = v/~/(4a3)]

Your answer should include a discussion of the statistical weight assigned to fi'ee [4]
electrons.
Develop your result to the form
[4]
ni 2Ui[2rcm~}a/2(kT)5/2 { ~_~0 }
- u,, t-U- exp ,

again explaining all terms.

ASTR2BI2/20(}6
CONTINUED
10. Give a full qualitative discussion of line-broadeIfing mechanisms in diffuse inter- [5]
stellar ga~s clouds (detailed formulae are not required).
With the aid of a diagram, explain the term 'equivalent width'. The opacity of an [5]
interstellar absorption line may be w,'itten a~s

7re 2
h:(v) - f¢(v)n
me¢

develop an expression for the equivalent width of a weak interstellar absorption line
in terms of the cohnnn density of absorbers.
With the aid of a diagram, explain in detail how the equivalent widths of interstellar [7]
absorption lines change with increasing colmnn density.
Briefly summarize the main inferences concerning abundances in the ga.s pha.~e of [3]
the diffuse, neutral interstellar medium resulting fi'om absorption-line studies.

11. Define the specific intensity, Iv, tile mean intensity, Or,,, and the physical flux: /~, [6]
of a radiation field.
Explain what is meant by the optical depth, v~. [3]
Derive the the equation of radiat, ive transfer for a plane-parallel stellar atmosphere [7]
in the form
#d-~r~ = Iv - S~,

defining all quantities.

List and briefly describe the main opacity sources in stellar atmospheres. [4]

END OF PAPER

ASTR2BI2/2006