Question

Why do we expect WIMPs to be distributed throughout galactic halos, rather than settled into a disk?

A) They are light enough that they have expanded out into the halo.
B) WIMPs were produced at the early stages of galaxy evolution, and objects in the halo, such as globular clusters, were formed at the beginning of the galaxy.
C) Since they do not interact with the electromagnetic force, they do not feel friction or drag and hence do not contract with the rest of the protogalactic cloud.
D) Shock waves from supernovae have blown the WIMPs out into the halo.
E) Jets from the early active stage of a galaxy's life shot out most of the WIMPs from the disk

Answer 1

WIMPs are expected to be distributed throughout galactic halos due to their low mass and weak interactions, which allow them to expand into the halo. Their lack of interaction with the electromagnetic force prevents them from contracting with the rest of the protogalactic cloud. Additionally, shock waves from supernovae can blow WIMPs out into the halo.

Step-by-step explanation:

WIMPs, or Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, are expected to be distributed throughout galactic halos rather than settled into a disk due to several reasons.

1. They are light enough that they have expanded out into the halo: WIMPs are hypothesized to have low mass and weak interactions, which allows them to spread out in the galaxy's halo rather than forming a concentrated disk.
2. Since they do not interact with the electromagnetic force, they do not feel friction or drag: WIMPs are thought to be weakly interacting particles that don't experience significant friction or drag forces, preventing them from contracting with the rest of the protogalactic cloud and settling into a disk.
3. Shock waves from supernovae have blown the WIMPs out into the halo: Supernova explosions can create shock waves that propel particles, including WIMPs, outwards into the galactic halo, contributing to their distribution.