Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2002/iii/paper-45/3/c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 45 3 c Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
For a homogeneous potential contribution of degree , the scalar virial theorem follows from the moment of inertia identity . Time averaging in equilibrium gives . Gravitational self-energy has degree , whereas has degree . Apply the theorem to the sum of the two contributions:With the uniform-sphere expressions this isThe cosmological-constant force is repulsive, so its virial contribution reduces the kinetic support required at a fixed radius. One must not apply the inverse-radius gravitational relation to the whole potential: the two terms have different homogeneity degrees.
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