Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/iii/paper-54/1/b/i/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 54 1 b i Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For the constant-density model, . This is the incompressible Interior Schwarzschild metric, replacing the earlier finite-slope barotropic stellar equation of state. The Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation separates asOn the left, partial fractions giveOn the right the antiderivative is . Applying the surface condition , and writing , , givesSolving for the pressure recovers the Interior Schwarzschild solution:In particular the central pressure of a constant-density relativistic star isThe denominator must be positive for a regular positive-pressure centre, requiring . As that limiting compactness is approached, the central pressure diverges, in agreement with Buchdahl's theorem.
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