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Autori principali: Grimsditch, Marcos, Karpov, Victor G.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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Accesso online:https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.09700
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author Grimsditch, Marcos
Karpov, Victor G.
author_facet Grimsditch, Marcos
Karpov, Victor G.
contents The barometric equation predicts the molecular concentration $n(z)$ exponentially decaying with altitude $z$. Because the mean free path $l=1/nσ$ increases exponentially, at high altitudes $z$, the equation is no longer within the domain of applicability of the standard kinetic theory. \cite{grimsditch} Here, we predict the dependence $n(z)\propto z^{-2}$ for the case $l\gg L$ in uniform gravity and $n(z)\propto [\ln(1+z/R_0)]^{-2}$ when $z\gg R_0$ for a planet of radius $R_0$. It corresponds to a non-stationary planetary atmosphere with hydrogen accretion. The accretion is accompanied by a release of gravitational potential energy that could be the elusive source driving the formation of stellar coronas. Other consequences include slowly decaying tails of planetary atmospheres and periodical hydrogen explosions of white dwarfs.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2404_09700
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Revisiting the barometric equation and the extent of a planetary atmosphere
Grimsditch, Marcos
Karpov, Victor G.
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Statistical Mechanics
The barometric equation predicts the molecular concentration $n(z)$ exponentially decaying with altitude $z$. Because the mean free path $l=1/nσ$ increases exponentially, at high altitudes $z$, the equation is no longer within the domain of applicability of the standard kinetic theory. \cite{grimsditch} Here, we predict the dependence $n(z)\propto z^{-2}$ for the case $l\gg L$ in uniform gravity and $n(z)\propto [\ln(1+z/R_0)]^{-2}$ when $z\gg R_0$ for a planet of radius $R_0$. It corresponds to a non-stationary planetary atmosphere with hydrogen accretion. The accretion is accompanied by a release of gravitational potential energy that could be the elusive source driving the formation of stellar coronas. Other consequences include slowly decaying tails of planetary atmospheres and periodical hydrogen explosions of white dwarfs.
title Revisiting the barometric equation and the extent of a planetary atmosphere
topic Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Statistical Mechanics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.09700