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make the docs on evaluate_rates() clearer #669

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merged 3 commits into from Oct 26, 2023
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@zingale zingale commented Oct 25, 2023

we are returning dY/dt but a user might expect r = n_A n_B

we are returning dY/dt but a user might expect r = n_A n_B <sigma v>

If you want dn/dt, where n is the number density (so you get
n_a n_b <sigma v>), then you need to multiply the results here
by rho N_A (where N_A is Avogadro's number).
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quick question about the definition of molar fraction that came to mind, usually we just say its X/A, but is there an ambiguity on whether its A or A_nuc? For example, here this problem arises if we say we want to convert dY/dt to dn/dt by simply multiply by rho*N_A, is that right?

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I think we usually define it as X/A, where A is just the atomic weight.

But we might want to check if we are being consistent and / or what others do.

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right, but I guess my concern is when converting Y to n, we get rid of mass in density by N_A/A here not N_A/A_nuc, so I think its off by a ratio between A and A_nuc?

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realizing this issue can also come up when calculating enuc?

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it could be. I think a lot of sources don't worry about the difference between A and A_nuc. I think we are approaching the point where it would be good to go over the docs and check to see how consistent we are and add some docs describing our assumptions, etc. and then come up with a plan on how to fix this.

Could be a hackathon...

@zingale zingale merged commit a1a973a into main Oct 26, 2023
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@zingale zingale deleted the clarify_evaluate_rates branch October 26, 2023 22:34
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2 participants