Question

What is the Saha equation?

Answer 1

Saha equation:

1. To describe the spectrum classification of stars, Saha's equation is a valuable finding in integrating quantum mechanics with statistical mechanics.
2. It relates the degree of ionization of a gas approaching thermal equilibrium to its conditions of temperature and pressure.
3. Saha's equation demonstrates the relationship between gas ionization and numerous physical factors. It should be the relationship between the ionization state of a gas in thermal equilibrium and temperature and pressure.

Mathematically, the Saha equation can be represented as:

$\frac{{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{n}}}\approx 2.4\times {10}^{21}\frac{{\mathrm{T}}^{{\displaystyle \frac{3}{2}}}}{{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{\mathrm{e}}^{\frac{-{\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{{\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{B}}\mathrm{T}}}$

Here,

${\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ is the number density of ions.

${\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{n}}$ is the number density of neutral atoms.

T is the temperature.

${\mathrm{u}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ is the ionization energy.

${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ is the Boltzmann constant.