Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-formation-of-structure-in-the-universe-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/paper-1/3/b/solution
Past exam of the formation of Structure in the Universe course of the University of Cambridge 2015 Paper 1 3 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
Let be the separation of galaxy centres and a small displacement from the satellite centre along the line of centres. Expanding the central point-mass field gives the radial differential accelerationInside a uniform-density satellite, the restoring self-gravity isComparing the two at the same displacement yields the differential-gravity disruption limit of a uniform satellite:The satellite radius cancels because both accelerations are linear in . This is the instantaneous tidal-gravity estimate requested by the given criterion, not a full rotating Roche calculation. Including centrifugal terms for a circular corotating orbit replaces the radial coefficient two by three, giving while preserving the required scaling. An eccentric orbit requires checking the stronger tide near periapsis, and extended density profiles require a more detailed restoring-force calculation.
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