0
$\begingroup$

I'm looking at some solutions of the Friedmann equation at this website: Solutions to Friedmann equation

If I look at the first problem (Problem 1: matter or radiation in a flat Universe) and click on the "show" button, I get some solutions to some of this. Now, what I don't understand in this solution is when they get to this:

$$\frac{\dot{a}^{2}}{a^{2}}=\frac{8\pi G}{3}\cdot\frac{\rho_{r0}}{a^4}$$

Why have they done the substitution?: $$\rho_r=\rho_{r0}\left(\frac{a_0}{a}\right)^{4}$$ I know that the energy density, for radiation, is proportional to $a^{-4}$, but why do I have to include the zero version of $a$ and $\rho$?

Another thing is, where do they get the $\frac{32}{3}$ from in the square root? If I do the calculation (With $k=0$ and $\rho_r \propto a^{-4}$) I get (Please disregard the fact that I miss $\rho_{r0}$): \begin{align} \frac{\dot a^{2}}{a^{2}} &= \frac{8 \pi G}{3} \rho - \frac{kc^{2}}{a^{2}} \\ &\Updownarrow \\ \frac{\dot a^{2}}{a^{2}} &= \frac{8 \pi G}{3} \frac{1}{a^{4}} \\ &\Updownarrow \\ \left(\frac{da}{dt}\right)^{2} &= \frac{8 \pi G}{3} \frac{1}{a^{2}} \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ \frac{da}{dt} &= \sqrt{\frac{8 \pi G}{3}} \frac{1}{a} \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ da &= \sqrt{\frac{8 \pi G}{3}} \frac{1}{a} \,\, dt \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ \int da &= \sqrt{\frac{8 \pi G}{3}} \frac{1}{a} \int dt \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ a^{2} &= \sqrt{\frac{8 \pi G}{3}} t \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ a &= \sqrt[4]{\frac{8 \pi G}{3}} t^{1/2} \nonumber \\ &\Updownarrow \nonumber \\ a &\propto t^{1/2} \end{align} Don't know if it is a flaw in my calculation, or I'm just missing something ordinary factor of some sort.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

You need to include the 'zero' versions of $\rho$ and $a$ in order for the units to works out, or, to put it another way, to account for initial conditions.

As regards the 32, you made an error while integrating: $\int a \mathrm{d}a = \frac{a^{2}}{2}$; the factor of 2 taken to the other side under the square root provides a 4 to makes the 8 into a 32.

$\endgroup$
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.