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A gas is nondegenerate when its occupation numbers are low enough that quantum statistics reduce to the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. A common criterion is $n{\lambda }_{\mathrm{th}}^3\ll 1$, where ${\lambda }_{\mathrm{th}}$ is the thermal de Broglie wavelength.

For a dilute nonrelativistic gas with $x=m/T\gg 1$ and zero chemical potential, the Bose-Einstein distribution approaches the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Expanding $E=m+p^2/(2m)+\cdots$ in the number density integral gives $n\sim g(mT/(2\pi ){)}^{3/2}{e}^{-x}$. Since $\rho =mn+3nT/2+\cdots$ and $P=nT$, the entropy density at zero chemical potential gives $s=n(x+5/2+\cdots )$ and hence the displayed leading expression. This includes the internal multiplicity $g$; a single real scalar field has $g=1$.

For the reaction $p+e\leftrightarrow H+\gamma$, chemical equilibrium requires ${\mu }_p+{\mu }_e={\mu }_H$ because thermal photons have zero chemical potential. Insert the nonrelativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution number densities and use $m_H=m_p+m_e-\mathcal{B}$:For ground-state hydrogen, including its spin states, $g_e=g_p=2$, $g_H=4$; hence the degeneracy factor is one. Since $m_p/m_H\simeq 1$, the right side is $(m_{e}T/2\pi {)}^{3/2}{e}^{-\mathcal{B}/T}$.

Charge neutrality gives $n_p=n_e$, while baryon conservation gives $n_b=n_p+n_H$. Consequently $n_e=n_p=X_e{n}_b$ and $n_H=(1-X_e)n_b$. Inverting the preceding ratio and inserting the photon number density with $n_b=\eta n_{\gamma }$ gives the hydrogen-only Saha equationWriting $y=\mathcal{B}/T$, its coefficient is $(2\zeta (3)/{\pi }^2)\eta (2\pi \mathcal{B}/m_e{)}^{3/2}\simeq 3.2\times 10^{-16}$, consistent with the rounded $3\times 10^{-16}$. The negligible mass-ratio correction and ground-state approximation are the assumptions behind this form.

False. The singular isothermal sphere is infinite in extent and mass. The isolated finite-system virial theorem cannot be applied to its global divergent energies without boundary terms.

A direct Spherical Jeans equation counterexample is enough. For isotropic velocities with constant one-dimensional dispersion ${\sigma }^2$, its density slope givesThus ${\sigma }^2=v_0^2/2$ and the circular and isotropic speed comparison in a singular isothermal sphere isThis is realized by a positive isotropic distribution $F\propto \exp (E/{\sigma }^2)$, which gives a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities and $\rho \propto \exp (\psi /{\sigma }^2)\propto r^{-2}$. Circular orbits have instead $⟨v_r^2⟩=0$ and $⟨v_{\theta }^2⟩=⟨v_{\varphi }^2⟩=v_0^2/2$, so their total mean square speed is $v_0^2$. The isotropic model contains eccentric orbits except for a measure-zero subset.

The boundary virial term of a singular isothermal sphere explains the different energy budgets of a finite spherical region. At radius $R$, its radial-pressure surface term is $4\pi R^3\rho (R){\sigma }_r^2$. It is nonzero in the isotropic model and zero in the circular-orbit model. Equality of the density therefore does not enforce equality of the velocity energy through an incorrectly omitted surface term.

Use the dark-sector temperature in every dimensionless integration variable: $x=m_{\varphi }/T_{\varphi }$ and $y=p/T_{\varphi }$. Assume a single real scalar field, $g=1$, and fast number-changing reactions keeping ${\mu }_{\varphi }=0$. For $x\gg 1$, the populated momenta satisfy $y=O(\sqrt{x})$, soThis is the nonrelativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution limit of the Bose-Einstein distribution. The given Gaussian Gamma function integral givesSince ${\rho }_{\varphi }=m_{\varphi }n+3n{T}_{\varphi }/2+\cdots$ and $P_{\varphi }=n{T}_{\varphi }$, the entropy density at zero chemical potential is $s_{\varphi }=n(x+5/2+\cdots )$. Its leading nonrelativistic entropy at zero chemical potential is thereforeAn internal multiplicity $g$ would multiply this expression; the absence of $g$ in the printed result assumes a real one-state scalar.

Now use the constant separately conserved visible and dark entropy ratio and the relativistic visible-bath entropy law, $s_{\mathrm{SM}}=(2{\pi }^2/45)g_{\ast s}^{\mathrm{SM}}{T}_{\gamma }^3=\xi s_{\varphi }$. Since $T_{\varphi }=m_{\varphi }/x$,Thus the cannibal-sector temperature ratio hasThe numerical coefficient is approximately $0.525$. The visible-bath temperature is the photon temperature while that bath is internally thermalized; after distinct visible species acquire different temperatures, its total entropy must instead use the appropriate temperature-weighted $g_{\ast s}^{\mathrm{SM}}$.

The displayed relativistic scalar entropy formula must not be continued into this regime with $g_{\ast s}^{\varphi }=1$ held constant. If it is used as an effective definition at arbitrary temperature, thenand $T_{\gamma }/T_{\varphi }=(\xi g_{\ast s}^{\varphi }/g_{\ast s}^{\mathrm{SM}}{)}^{1/3}$ gives the same result. This specifies how the relativistic expression can legitimately be combined with the nonrelativistic one.

Let $f(\mathbf{p})d^{3}p$ be particle number per unit volume in a momentum element, including the spin-state count in $f$. This is the local momentum part of a phase-space distribution function, normalized by the number density $n=\int f(\mathbf{p})d^{3}p$. For an isotropic distribution with particle energy $E(p)=\sqrt{m^2{c}^4+p^2{c}^2}$, the kinetic pressure of an isotropic gas is the average momentum flux:The kinetic energy density, explicitly excluding rest mass, isFor $p\ll mc$, $E-m{c}^2=p^2/(2m)$ and $\mathbf{v}=\mathbf{p}/m$, giving $P=2u_{\mathrm{kin}}/3$. For $p\gg mc$, $E\simeq pc$ and $v\simeq c$, giving $P\simeq u_{\mathrm{kin}}/3$. ThusNeither relation assumes a Maxwellian distribution. At intermediate momenta neither constant ratio is exact, and anisotropic distributions require a pressure tensor rather than this scalar pressure.

For a classical Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, $f=n(2\pi m{k}_{B}T{)}^{-3/2}\exp [-p^2/(2m{k}_{B}T)]$. Three Gaussian component integrals give $⟨p^2⟩=3m{k}_{B}T$, so the ideal gas hasIn a fully ionized mixture, sum over independent species to obtain $P_{\mathrm{gas}}=\rho k_{B}T/({\mu }_{\mathrm{mol}}{m}_u)$, where the mean molecular weight counts ions and free Electrons. This excludes partial-ionization and interaction corrections. A dilute classical ultrarelativistic gas still has $P=n{k}_{B}T$ but $u_{\mathrm{kin}}\simeq 3n{k}_{B}T$; its momentum distribution is proportional to $e^{-pc/(k_{B}T)}$ instead of the nonrelativistic Gaussian.

For a thermal photon gas, the two polarization states and zero photon chemical potential give the Planck photon distributionUse $x=pc/(k_{B}T)$ and ${\int }_0^{\infty }{x}^3/(e^x-1)dx={\pi }^4/15$. The radiation constant and photon equation of state are thereforeLikewise $n_{\gamma }=2\zeta (3)(k_{B}T/\hslash c{)}^3/{\pi }^2$. Unlike a gas with a fixed particle number, photons do not have pressure proportional to baryonic mass density.

For fully degenerate Electrons, the Fermi-Dirac distribution becomes a filled momentum sphere with two spin states. Counting them gives the Fermi momentumHere ${\mu }_e$ is the mean molecular weight per electron. The equation of state of a cold electron gas follows by integrating momentum flux up to $p_F$:Its two limits areThe corresponding kinetic energy densities are $3n_e[p_F^2/(2m_e)]/5$ and $3n_e{p}_{F}c/4$, respectively. Thus in the high-density relativistic limit the Electron pressure scales as ${\rho }^{4/3}$ and is nearly independent of temperature. This is the ideal noninteracting, fixed-composition Electron result, not a universal equation of state at nuclear densities where captures, interactions and the composition change.

The boundaries on a stellar equation-of-state regime diagram concern the Electron component. Define the electron relativistic density threshold and thermal electron relativistic threshold byA degenerate Electron gas is nonrelativistic well below ${\rho }_{\ast }$ and ultrarelativistic well above it: this is an approximately vertical division on a log-density plot. A nondegenerate Electron gas instead becomes thermally relativistic near $T_{\ast }$: this is an approximately horizontal division. The regimes have broad crossovers rather than a discontinuity at either line.

The exact electron Fermi temperature, subtracting Electron rest energy, isFor Electrons with negligible thermal pairs, strong degeneracy requires $T\ll T_F$, whereas $T\gg T_F$ gives a nondegenerate gas. In the pair-rich regime the actual Electron and Positron distributions must instead be treated with their chemical potentials, as discussed below. The two limiting degeneracy boundaries areThese slopes $2/3$ and $1/3$ explain the bent degeneracy boundary on the logarithmic graph. A thermal-wavelength test $n_e[2\pi {\hslash }^2/(m_e{k}_{B}T){]}^{3/2}\sim 2$ gives the same nonrelativistic density/temperature scaling, with an order-one definition of the crossover.

The radiation-to-gas pressure boundary in the nondegenerate fully ionized regime isRadiation dominates above this line. Once Electrons are strongly degenerate, compare radiation pressure with $P_e(\rho )$ instead of continuing the ideal-gas comparison into that regime. The radiation-to-degeneracy pressure boundary is $T=[3P_e(\rho )/a_{\mathrm{rad}}{]}^{1/4}$, with logarithmic slopes $5/12$ and $1/3$ in the nonrelativistic and ultrarelativistic limits. Degeneracy of the Electrons and dominance of their pressure are distinct criteria.

For the pair curve, distinguish baryonic net Electrons from thermally created Electrons and Positrons. Chemical equilibrium with photons requires opposite Electron/Positron chemical potentials when the one-particle energy includes rest energy, as in the distributions below. At low temperature and low degeneracy the zero-chemical-potential density per charge species isCharge neutrality gives $n_{-}-n_{+}=n_b=\rho /({\mu }_e{m}_u)$, while the nondegenerate equilibrium product is $n_{-}{n}_{+}=n_0^2$. HencePairs become important when $n_0$ is comparable with or exceeds $n_b$, approximately the electron-positron thermal pair abundance curve ${\rho }_{\mathrm{pair}}(T)={\mu }_e{m}_u{n}_0(T)$. Below its density at a fixed temperature, pairs dominate over the net charge Electrons. The exponential makes the low-temperature portion steep in a log-log plot. For ${\mu }_e=2$, the full zero-potential integral gives approximate pair-marker densities $1.80\times 10^3\mathrm{g}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}$ at $10^9\mathrm{K}$ and $7.52\times 10^5\mathrm{g}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{-3}$ at $3\times 10^9\mathrm{K}$. At relativistic temperature use the full zero-chemical-potential Fermi-Dirac distribution instead; it gives $n_0\to [3\zeta (3)/(2{\pi }^2)](k_{B}T/\hslash c{)}^3$, so the high-temperature pair curve approaches slope three in log-density versus log-temperature. Strong net-electron degeneracy suppresses Positrons and requires the full chemical-potential-dependent distribution.

The original diagram uses fully ionized helium, ${\mu }_e=2$ and ${\mu }_{\mathrm{mol}}=4/3$, only to set numerical locations. It plots the full $T_F$ curve and the zero-chemical-potential pair integral, rather than extending their asymptotes into the crossover. The pair boundary is deliberately an approximate abundance marker, not a phase transition; at high temperature the nonrelativistic ion approximation and fixed-composition model also have limits. For $T\gg T_{\ast }$ with abundant nondegenerate pairs, the combined Electron/Positron energy density is $7a_{\mathrm{rad}}{T}^4/4$, so photons plus pairs have $u=11a_{\mathrm{rad}}{T}^4/4$ and $P=u/3$. Real stellar matter adds Coulomb effects, partial ionization, nuclear reactions and, at sufficiently high density, nuclear-matter physics beyond the ideal regime map.

Chemical equilibrium imposes ${\mu }_e+{\mu }_p={\mu }_H+{\mu }_{\gamma }$. For blackbody photons, ${\mu }_{\gamma }=0$. Define the positive Hydrogen binding energy by $I=(m_e+m_p-m_H)c^2$, approximately $13.6\mathrm{eV}$. Multiplying the two Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution number densities and dividing by the neutral-hydrogen density givesUse $g_e{g}_p/g_H=1$ and $m_p/m_H\simeq 1$ to obtain the Saha ionization equationThe assumptions are nonrelativistic, dilute, nondegenerate species at a common temperature, ground-state hydrogen with the stated degeneracy factors, negligible mass correction in the prefactor, and sufficiently rapid reactions to maintain chemical equilibrium.

In chemical equilibrium, the reaction $p+e\leftrightarrow H+\gamma$ obeys chemical-potential balance for ionizationbecause a photon gas in equilibrium has photon chemical potential ${\mu }_{\gamma }=0$. Applying the given nonrelativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution to each massive species givesThe Hydrogen binding energy is $I=m_e+m_p-m_H$ in units with $c=1$. Thus Saha's equation isFor ground-state hydrogen, $g_e=g_p=2$ and $g_H=4$, so the degeneracy factor is one. Since $m_p\simeq m_H$, the translational factor is commonly written $(2\pi m_e{k}_{B}T/h^2{)}^{3/2}$.

Charge neutrality gives $n_e=n_p$. Write $n_B=n_e+n_H\simeq \eta n_{\gamma }$. Thenand henceCombining this with the stated photon density produces

In our universe the baryon-to-photon ratio is tiny, so there are roughly $10^9$ photons per baryon. Even when the mean photon energy is far below $I$, the high-energy blackbody radiation tail contains enough ionizing photons to suppress neutral hydrogen. The recombination temperature is reached only after the Boltzmann factor overwhelms this large photon-to-baryon ratio, at $k_{B}T\simeq 0.3\mathrm{eV}$.

For a universe with $\eta =1$, take the degeneracy factor as one, $m_H\simeq m_p$, and define $x=I/(k_{B}T)$. Neutral formation occurs when the boxed ratio is of order one, giving approximatelyWith $I=13.6\mathrm{eV}$ and $m_e=5.11\times 10^5\mathrm{eV}$, this gives $x\simeq 19$ and thereforeto order unity. This is much hotter than recombination in our universe because there is no enormous excess of photons, but it remains below $I$ because the electron's large translational phase space still favours the ionized state.

Chemical equilibrium for $p+e^{-}\rightleftharpoons H+\gamma$ gives ${\mu }_p+{\mu }_e={\mu }_H$, because the photon chemical potential vanishes. Applying the nonrelativistic number-density formula to all three massive species and taking the ratio givesUse charge neutrality $n_p=n_e$, the Hydrogen binding energy $E_{\mathrm{bind}}=m_p{c}^2+m_e{c}^2-m_H{c}^2$, $m_H\simeq m_p$, and the ground-state statistical weights $g_H=g_p{g}_e$. ThenThe approximations are a dilute, nondegenerate ideal gas in thermal and chemical equilibrium, nonrelativistic electrons, protons and hydrogen, negligible excited hydrogen states, and negligible corrections from the proton-to-hydrogen mass ratio. This relation is the Saha ionization equation.

Chemical equilibrium for $e^{-}+p\leftrightarrow H+\gamma$ requires ${\mu }_e+{\mu }_p={\mu }_H$, since the photon chemical potential vanishes. Inserting the nonrelativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and using charge neutrality $n_p=n_e$ giveswhere the proton-to-hydrogen mass ratio and the stated degeneracy factors have been approximated by one. Thus