13.8 | How long until the Universe cools by 0.1 K?
Assume the Universe has present density parameter , no dark energy, and present temperature . Its temperature is inversely proportional to its scale factor. How long, starting now, will it take to cool by ?
Express the answer in terms of the present Hubble parameter . For numerical values, use years (about ); the original statement does not specify this constant.
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Reading resources
Material that covers the physics behind this problem.
- An Introduction to Modern AstrophysicsCarroll & Ostlie
The standard reference for olympiad-level astrophysics. Chapters 1-3 cover the celestial sphere, orbits and the magnitude system.
Textbook - Ohio State Astronomy Lecture NotesOhio State University
Clear university-level notes on stars, galaxies and cosmology with derivations you can follow line by line.
Lecture notes - Cosmology CalculatorEdward L. Wright (UCLA)
Converts redshift into distances, lookback time and scale factors. Use it to sanity-check cosmology answers.
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