An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 8.7

Stellar Atmospheres — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · partition-function-hydrogen

Problem

In Example 8.1.4, the statement was made that ``nearly all of the H I atoms are in the ground state, so Eq. (8.7) for the partition function simplifies to Z1≃g1=2(1)2=2Z_1 \simeq g_1 = 2(1)^2 = 2.'' Verify that this statement is correct for a temperature of 10,000 K by evaluating the first three terms in Eq. (8.7) for the partition function.

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