Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2003/iii/paper-66/4/a/i/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 iii Paper 66 4 a i Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
For a relaxed cluster, galaxy motions act as tracers of its gravitational potential. The virial theorem gives a dynamical mass of orderwith a profile-dependent coefficient and a projection correction because the observed velocity dispersion is usually only the line-of-sight component. For an isotropic uniform-sphere estimate using its one-dimensional dispersion, and give . Measured dispersions require much more gravitating mass than the luminous galaxies provide, hence large cluster mass-to-light ratios. Interlopers, orbital anisotropy and departures from equilibrium are systematic uncertainties, so the independent gas and lensing measurements matter.
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