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Saha equation / hydrogen

  • 30-05-2015 6:19pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭


    The Saha equation for the hydrogen atom can be written as

    log(N+/N) = log(u+/u) + (5/2)logT - log(Pe) - χionӨ - 0.18

    where Ө=5040/T
    χion is measured in electron volts (eV).

    Calculate the number of negative hydrogen ions (H-) in the solar photosphere relative to neutral hydrogen (H) for a temperature of T = 6,000 K and a pressure of log Pe = 2.7.


    My attempt:
    log(N+/N) = log(u+/u) + (5/2)logT - log(Pe) - χionӨ - 0.18
    log(N+/N) = log(2/1) + (5/2)log6000 - 2.7 - (13.6)x(5040/6000) - 0.18
    log(N+/N) = 0.693 + 21.748 -2.7 - 11.42 - 0.18
    log(N+/N) = 8.14

    I chose to input 13.6 for χion since the ionisation energy for the hydrogen atom in the ground state is χion = 13.6eV.

    But apparently the correct solution should be 5x10^(-7). Where have I gone wrong?

    Is it because the ionisation energy is 13.6 eV for the transition H <-> H+, but lower for H- <-> H?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭Smythe


    I discovered one mistake, (5/2)log6000 should of course equal 9.44 (not 21.748)!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭Smythe


    I think the log(2/1) is possibly to the base e whereas elsewhere base 10 is used. So I think the log(2/1) needs converted to base 10 to remain consistent.

    Would anyone know how to do this?


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