# Why is $g$ tied to the oscillator strength $f$ in $\log{gf}_{\odot}$

The $\log{gf}$ value of an element in a star, where $f$ is the oscillator strength, or probability of transition in an atom, is a scientifically pursued quantity with relation to the model atmosphere of the star. Why is the oscillator strength tied to $g$? And what is the motivation for including this quantity in a stellar model?

You don't make it clear, but you may be confused about what $g$ is. It is the statistical weight of an atomic energy level.
The $gf$ value, which refers to a particular transition between two energy levels in an atom/ion, is used because there is symmetry in terms of emission/absorption processes once the statistical weight is taken into account. $$g_1 f_{12} = - g_2 f_{21}$$
If you just quoted $f$, then you would also need to know what the appropriate statistical weight was in order to calculate transition probabilities.
• Ah, ok, yes I was confused. In the context of a stellar photosphere, would the statistical weight of an energy level be governed by the Boltzmann factor $\exp(-E/kT)$? So, if you know log(gf), and you know f (from physics), then could you determine an estimate of $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$? – user5341 Jul 8 '15 at 19:25