Order-of-Magnitude Estimation Across Grams, Solar Masses and Parsecs in Astrophysics

Estimate by powers of ten using anchors: 1 solar mass ≈ \( 2\times10^{33} \) g, 1 GeV/c^2 ≈ \( 1.8\times10^{-24} \) g, 1 pc ≈ \( 3.1\times10^{18} \) cm. A 10^20 g black hole is about \( 5\times10^{-14} \) solar masses.

Physics Tutoring Hub Video

Estimate physical quantities with order-of-magnitude back-of-the-envelope calculations