Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-astrophysical-fluid-dynamics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/paper-1/1/c/solution
Past exam of the astrophysical fluid dynamics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 Paper 1 1 c Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
Work in an inertial centre of mass frame and write . Differentiation and Newton's second law giveThe pairwise Newtonian gravitational potential energy isFor each pair, combining the two force contributions gives . Therefore , andFor a stationary configuration, or after a long-time average of a bounded system whose endpoint term vanishes, the virial theorem givesThe brackets may be suppressed when denote equilibrium averages. A collapsing cloud or an eccentric Kepler orbit need not obey instantaneously. Confining surface pressure, magnetic stress or other external forces add their own virial terms; the displayed result concerns an isolated gravitational particle system.
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