Blundell Thermal Physics · Problem 35.3

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Physics — Statistical Mechanics · cosmological-estimation

Problem

Assume that the density of baryonic matter in the Universe is 3×10−27 kg m−33\times10^{-27}\,\rm kg\,m^{-3} and that the distance to the edge of the Universe is given by cτc\tau where τ\tau is the age of the Universe, 13×10913\times10^9 years and cc is the speed of light. Given that a typical galaxy has a mass 1011M⊙10^{11}M_\odot, estimate the number of galaxies in the observable Universe. Estimate how many protons there are in the observable Universe, stating all your assumptions.

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