Problem #0222 Quantum Physics Problem #0224 Chapters Chapters

924.

Problem 56.31 (RHK)

We have to calculate the minimum temperature of the universe for the photons to produce pairs; and find the age of the universe when it had this temperature.

Solution:             Click For PDF Version

The rest mass energy of is 140 MeV.

For photons to produce pairs, the photon energy kT must be at least as large as the rest energy of a pion that is 140 MeV. Therefore,

The relation between the temperature and age of the universe is

Therefore, the age of the universe, when its temperature was , was