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Use geometric units $G=c=1$, metric signature $(-+++)$, and a four-velocity normalized by the physical metric. Write $\varphi =1+\Phi$, where $|\Phi |\ll 1$. For a pressureless perfect fluid, the dust stress-energy tensor is $T_{ij}=\rho U_i{U}_j$ and $g^{ij}{U}_i{U}_j=-1$. Since ${\eta }^{ij}={\varphi }^2{g}^{ij}$, its background trace isConsequently the field equation is $(-{\partial }_t^2+\Delta )\varphi =4\pi \rho {\varphi }^3$. Neglecting time derivatives and higher weak-field orders gives the Newtonian limit of Nordstrom gravity:The constant shift between $\varphi$ and $\Phi$ does not affect the Poisson equation or the force. Here $\rho$ is the physical rest density; if fluid indices are instead defined using the background metric, the intermediate powers of $\varphi$ change but the same leading-order equation results.

For the motion, the Levi-Civita connection of the conformally flat metric isIn particular ${\Gamma }^{\alpha }{}_{00}={\partial }_{\alpha }\log \varphi$. Replacing the affine parameter in the geodesic equation by coordinate time gives, with $w^i=(1,\mathbf{v})$ and $\mathbf{v}=d\mathbf{x}/dt$,At small speeds and for a nearly static field, this becomesThus the Newtonian gravitational potential and freely falling trajectories agree to the stated weak-field, slow-motion order. The comparison is an approximation, not an exact equivalence of relativistic trajectories.

Assume a nonrotating, nonmagnetic equilibrium, inviscid adiabatic perturbations, and no dissipation. Let $g={\varphi }^{\prime }(R)>0$, so hydrostatic equilibrium is $p^{\prime }=-\rho g$. Use $\mathbf{\xi }{e}^{i\omega t}$ for the fluid displacement. To avoid a source ambiguity, write Eulerian fluid perturbations as $p_1,{\rho }_1,{\varphi }_1$, and use $\Delta$ for quantities following the displaced material element, as in Eulerian and Lagrangian fluid perturbations. They are related by $\Delta p=p_1+{\xi }_R{p}^{\prime }$ and similarly for mass density and potential.

The printed identity needs two corrections: its compression denominator must be $\gamma p$, not $\gamma \rho$, and the pressure and potential appearing in this form of the identity must be Eulerian fluid perturbations. The printed denominator has the wrong dimensions for an energy density. The claimed Lagrangian interpretation does not produce the displayed buoyancy-compression split; the following derivation specifies the consistent version.

Linearized mass conservation, the adiabatic relation, and the Poisson equation giveConsequently $p_1=-\gamma p\nabla \cdot \mathbf{\xi }-{\xi }_R{p}^{\prime }$. Linearizing the Euler equations for an inviscid fluid about the static star gives the linear adiabatic stellar oscillation equationsRequire regularity at the center, a vanishing Lagrangian surface pressure, and the usual matching to a decaying exterior gravitational potential. Because $p$ and $\rho$ vanish at the surface, the pressure boundary term vanishes for regular displacements; compactly supported trials also suffice below. The perturbed Newtonian gravitational potential solves Laplace's equation outside the star and must be included there when its field energy is computed.

Multiply the momentum equation by $-{\mathbf{\xi }}^{\ast }$ and integrate. The pressure term is $-{\int }_V{p}_1\nabla \cdot {\mathbf{\xi }}^{\ast }dV$. Let $d=\nabla \cdot \mathbf{\xi }$. The adiabatic relation and hydrostatic equilibrium implyThe pressure and equilibrium-gravity terms then combine pointwise aswhere $N^2=g[(1/\gamma )p^{\prime }/p-{\rho }^{\prime }/\rho ]$ is the stellar buoyancy frequency. The potentially troublesome cross terms cancel exactly.

For the perturbed self-gravity term, integration by parts givesThus the corrected stellar displacement energy identity isThe right side is a real quadratic form. With these conservative boundary conditions, the force operator is a self-adjoint operator. Its Rayleigh quotient characterizes squared mode frequencies, and a negative admissible trial quotient proves an unstable spectral component; it does not require the trial displacement itself to be an exact eigenfunction.

For a generic compressive disturbance of scale $\ell$ in a region with slowly varying equilibrium coefficients, estimate ${\rho }_1\sim \rho \xi /\ell$, $p_1\sim \gamma p\xi /\ell$ and ${\varphi }_1\sim 4\pi G{\rho }_1{\ell }^2$. The self-gravity and compression energy densities have orderswith adiabatic sound speed $c_s^2=\gamma p/\rho$. Under the plausible stellar estimate $c_s^2\sim G\bar{\rho }{a}^2$, global modes can have comparable gravity and pressure contributions, while their ratio for small-scale compressive modes is of order $(\rho /\bar{\rho })(\ell /a{)}^2$. Thus perturbations with $\ell \ll c_s/\sqrt{4\pi G\rho }$ admit the Cowling approximation. This estimate compares two nonzero compressive terms; it cannot alone justify neglecting gravity for a trial deliberately chosen to have $p_1=0$.

For an explicit convective trial, choose $c<d<e<b$ and a nonzero smooth bumpLet $Y$ be a normalized spherical harmonic of degree $\ell \ge 1$, let $L=\ell (\ell +1)$, and let ${\nabla }_{\Omega }$ be the unit-sphere gradient. The pressure-free localized stellar convective trial isIt is supported away from the center and surface, so it satisfies every needed mechanical boundary condition. Since ${\Delta }_{\Omega }Y=-LY$,Therefore $p_1=-\gamma p\nabla \cdot \mathbf{\xi }+\rho g{\xi }_R=0$ exactly. Its buoyancy energy is ${\int }_d^e\rho N^2{R}^2|f{|}^{2}dR<0$, whereas its kinetic norm ${\int }_d^e\rho R^2(|f{|}^2+L|h{|}^2)dR$ is positive. In the Cowling approximation this gives a negative Rayleigh quotient, and hence $N^2<0$ in an interior shell implies convective instability. Retaining perturbed self-gravity only adds a nonpositive term, so the same trial proves instability in the full conservative problem too.

There is also a quantitative small-scale check for this very trial. Its mass density amplitude is ${\rho }_1=(\rho N^2/g)fY$, independent of $\ell$. Write ${\rho }_1=s(R)Y$ and ${\varphi }_1=F(R)Y$. The radial Poisson equation givesBy the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, $A\le 4\pi G(\int R^4|s{|}^{2}dR{)}^{1/2}(A/L{)}^{1/2}$, and so the angular-degree bound on perturbed stellar self-gravity isIt tends to zero with horizontal scale $R/\ell$, while the strictly negative buoyancy integral is fixed. This justifies the small-scale neglect of gravity even though the trial's compression term vanishes.

Assume a steady, locally plane-symmetric galactic disk, with negligible radial tilt term in the vertical Jeans equation. Write $\rho (z)$ for the stellar mass density, and $K_z={\partial }_z\Phi$ for the upward gradient of the Newtonian gravitational potential; the actual vertical gravitational acceleration is $-K_z$. Constant vertical velocity dispersion givesIntegrating the plane-parallel Poisson equation for Newtonian gravity from the symmetry plane gives $K_z(z)=4\pi G{\int }_0^z\rho (z^{\prime })d{z}^{\prime }$. Outside most of the mass, this tends to $2\pi G\Sigma$ for $z>0$, where the surface density includes both sides of the galactic disk. Treating this field as constant and integrating the vertical Jeans equation yieldsThis exponential is the thin-sheet approximation or the outer tail, not the exact profile at every height. To see the distinction without an additional assumption, set $\rho ={\rho }_0{e}^{-u}$ with $u=(\Phi -\Phi (0))/{\sigma }^2$. The Poisson equation for Newtonian gravity becomes $u^{\prime \prime }=(4\pi G{\rho }_0/{\sigma }^2)e^{-u}$, with $u(0)=u^{\prime }(0)=0$, and is solved bySince $\Sigma =2{\rho }_0{z}_0$, the exact self-gravitating isothermal slab has $z_0={\sigma }^2/(\pi G\Sigma )$. At large $|z|/z_0$, ${\mathrm{sech}}^2(z/z_0)\sim 4e^{-2|z|/z_0}$, recovering precisely the boxed scale height; near the plane its slope vanishes, whereas an exponential has a cusp.

Put $V=|v_0|>0$, take $q>0$ without loss of generality, and write $s=R^2+z^2/q^2$. The Newtonian gravitational potential is singular at the origin; all pointwise claims below concern $s>0$. The zero of the Newtonian gravitational potential is the one in the paper, with an implicit fixed length unit inside the logarithm.

The Poisson equation for Newtonian gravity in cylindrical coordinates givesThe two contributions to the Laplacian areConsequently the mass density of the axisymmetric logarithmic gravitational potential isThe coefficient of $R^2$ is positive. The coefficient of $z^2$ determines the density positivity for an axisymmetric logarithmic potential: strict positivity at every noncentral point requires $q^2>1/2$ and $v_0\ne 0$. Nonnegativity permits $q^2=1/2$, where the mass density vanishes on the noncentral symmetry axis. For $q^2<1/2$ it is negative near that axis. Either sign of a nonzero real $q$ gives the same model, and $q=0$ is undefined. Setting $v_0=0$ yields vacuum away from the singular origin, not strictly positive mass density. The $r^{-2}$ central cusp is locally integrable and contains no hidden point mass: the Newtonian gravitational field flux through a shrinking sphere is of order its radius.

An equatorial circular orbit requires inward gravitational acceleration equal to $v_c^2/R$. Thus the circular speed isThis is a flat galaxy rotation curve. The singular center does not define an additional circular orbit at $R=0$.

The specific orbital energy $E=\frac{1}{2}(v_R^2+v_{\varphi }^2+v_z^2)+\Phi$ is conserved because the Newtonian gravitational potential is time independent. The axial specific angular momentum $L_z=R{v}_{\varphi }$ is conserved because the Newtonian gravitational potential is axisymmetric. Hence the Jeans theorem, or directly $dF(E,L_z^2)/dt=0$ in the Collisionless Boltzmann equation, permits a stationary two-integral galactic distribution function. Using $L_z^2$ makes this galactic distribution function even under reversal of the azimuthal velocity, so it describes a nonstreaming population. A general axisymmetric population can have an odd part in $L_z$, or dependence on a third integral of motion; neither is required for this construction.

At each position define $\rho ⟨g⟩=\int gF{d}^{3}v$. The two-integral galactic distribution function is invariant under swapping $v_R$ and $v_z$, since only their sum of squares occurs in $E$. It is also even in each velocity component. Swapping integration variables proves meridional velocity isotropy of a two-integral distribution, while reflecting one variable makes each mixed integrand odd. ThereforeAll mean velocities vanish, so these are also the corresponding statements for the velocity ellipsoid and its centered covariance tensor. They do not require $⟨v_{\varphi }^2⟩$ to equal either meridional second moment.

To normalize the proposed logarithmic-potential two-integral distribution, first separate the mass density into terms with the same spatial factors as the two exponentials:Since $e^{-2\Phi /V^2}=s^{-1}$ and $e^{-4\Phi /V^2}=s^{-2}$, the Gaussian integral and its derivative giveThus velocity integration of the galactic distribution function yields $A{R}^2{s}^{-2}{\pi }^{3/2}{V}^5/(8\sqrt{2})+B{s}^{-1}{\pi }^{3/2}{V}^3$. Matching the independent spatial factors determinesThis verifies both the stationary Collisionless Boltzmann equation and the required Poisson equation for Newtonian gravity. A shift $\Phi \mapsto \Phi +C$ changes the normalizations to $A{e}^{4C/V^2}$ and $B{e}^{2C/V^2}$; the physical mass density is unchanged.

There is an important distinction between positive mass density and a nonnegative galactic distribution function. For $1/2\le q^2\le 1$, both coefficients above are nonnegative. For a prolate model $q^2>1$, $A<0$ and one must test the sum rather than reject the model just because one term is negative. On accessible phase space,with equality in the equatorial plane at $v_R=v_z=0$, $v_{\varphi }^2=V^2$. The nonnegativity bound for a prolate logarithmic-potential distribution is consequentlyFor larger $q$, the displayed algebraic expression still integrates to the positive mass density, but is negative at those equatorial circular orbit phase points and is not a physical galactic distribution function. This extra restriction is distinct from the earlier density-only answer.

Let $u_i=⟨v_i⟩$, ${\sigma }_{ij}=⟨(v_i-u_i)(v_j-u_j)⟩$, and $P_{ij}=\rho {\sigma }_{ij}$. The Jeans equation obtained by taking the first velocity moment of the Collisionless Boltzmann equation isFor an equilibrium population multiply by $x_i$ and integrate. Integration by parts givesAssume the integrals exist and the boundary flux vanishes, as for an isolated finite system with adequate decay. With the stellar kinetic-energy tensor, stellar pressure-energy tensor and stellar potential-energy tensor defined bywe obtain the equilibrium tensor virial theoremThe stellar kinetic-energy tensor describes ordered motion, whereas the stellar pressure-energy tensor describes random motion. In particular, $T_{ij}=0$ does not mean the stars have no kinetic energy. If a surface flux is retained, the right side of the displayed equilibrium identity is that surface tensor; it cannot be discarded for an arbitrary finite aperture. For an isolated self-gravitating population, $W_{ij}$ is symmetric by pairwise interchange in the Newtonian interaction integral, and the time-dependent identity is $\frac{1}{2}{\ddot{I}}_{ij}=2T_{ij}+{\Pi }_{ij}+W_{ij}$ with $I_{ij}=\int \rho x_i{x}_j{d}^{3}x$.

For the spherical Newtonian gravitational potential, ${\partial }_j\Phi ={\Phi }^{\prime }(r)x_j/r$. In the pressure-supported case the tensor virial theorem gives ${\Pi }_{ii}=\int \rho {\Phi }^{\prime }(r)x_i^2/r{d}^{3}x$. The notation ${\Pi }_{RR}$ used in this question is the planar virial trace ${\Pi }_{xx}+{\Pi }_{yy}$, not just the integral of the local cylindrical radial velocity dispersion. In cylindrical coordinates this trace includes both $v_R^2$ and $v_{\varphi }^2$. Summing the two Cartesian components therefore givesThe distinction explains the factor of two in the spherical limit.

Use ordinary spherical coordinates, $R=r\sin \theta$, $z=r\cos \theta$. The mass density separates as ${\rho }_0{r}^{-\gamma }h(\theta )$, whereBoth potential-energy integrals have the same radial factor $2\pi {\rho }_0{\int }_0^{\infty }{r}^{3-\gamma }{\Phi }^{\prime }(r)dr$. When this factor is finite and positive it cancels, leaving the scale-free tracer virial ratioThe angular factor in the printed intermediate formula has its sine and cosine interchanged. Keeping its sine/cosine weights while using that printed factor would instead produce the opposite sign in the final small-flattening correction. Merely measuring $\theta$ from the equatorial plane cannot fix this: the measure and both moment weights would have to change as well.

The angular ratio is finite and positive for every fixed $q>0$ and finite real $\gamma$, because $h$ is positive and bounded above and below. However, the claim that the unrestricted global virial integrals are always well-defined needs a hypothesis. In a point-mass Newtonian gravitational potential, the common radial factor is proportional to ${\int }_0^{\infty }{r}^{1-\gamma }dr$: convergence at zero requires $\gamma <2$, while convergence at infinity requires $\gamma >2$. There is no such $\gamma$. If the global energies diverge, the boxed angular ratio is still the ratio of the two potential-energy integrals with identical spherical inner and outer cutoffs, independent of the cutoffs. It is not a quotient of two finite global stellar pressure-energy tensors; applying a finite-aperture tensor virial theorem additionally requires its surface terms. These convergence and boundary qualifications are separate from the printed angular typo.

Set $ϵ=q^{-2}-1$. For modest flattening, the Taylor expansion is $h=1-(\gamma /2)ϵ{\cos }^2\theta +O({ϵ}^2)$. The required elementary angular integrals areThese follow directly by $t=\cos \theta$, or from the supplied Gamma function identity. Hence the numerator is $(4/3)[1-\gamma ϵ/10+O({ϵ}^2)]$ and the denominator is $(2/3)[1-3\gamma ϵ/10+O({ϵ}^2)]$. The flattening–anisotropy virial relation becomesFor a decreasing tracer mass density ($\gamma >0$), oblate flattening ($q<1$) requires more random kinetic support per in-plane direction than vertically. In a spherical Newtonian gravitational field, directional orbital anisotropy supplies the flattening rather than an anisotropic force law. A steeper radial mass density amplifies the required velocity dispersion anisotropy. A prolate tracer reverses the leading inequality. The relation constrains integrated velocity dispersions, not a unique local galactic distribution function.

For an axisymmetric Newtonian gravitational potential, the vacuum Laplace equation in cylindrical coordinates is $R^{-1}{\partial }_R(R{\partial }_R\Phi )+{\partial }_z^2\Phi =0$. Use separation of variables, $\Phi =X(R)Z(z)$. Dividing by $XZ$ and setting the separated constant to $k^2$, with $k>0$, givesThe first equation has solutions $e^{\pm kz}$; with $u=kR$, the second is the order-zero Bessel differential equation. Regularity at the axis selects the Bessel function of the first kind $J_0(kR)$, rather than the singular Bessel function of the second kind $Y_0$. ThusThere are also zero-separation-constant modes, and other boundary conditions can select other separated families. For a localized reflection-symmetric thin disk, decay away from the disk selects $e^{-k|z|}$ on the respective half-spaces.

Apply the divergence theorem to the Poisson equation for Newtonian gravity across a narrow pillbox enclosing disk area. Writing the volume mass density as $\Sigma (R)\delta (z)$ givesReflection symmetry makes ${\Phi }_z(R,0^{+})=2\pi G\Sigma (R)$. A superposition of the regular vacuum modes therefore satisfiesThe order-zero Hankel transform and its inversion now determine the Hankel representation of thin-disk gravity:The sign is fixed by the positive derivative of an attractive Newtonian gravitational potential above the disk. For ordinary finite disks the representation uses the isolated boundary condition, fixing any extra vacuum field or additive constant. Infinite scale-free disks require suitable regularization of the potential itself.

Equatorial circular orbit balance is $v_c^2=R{\Phi }_R(R,0)$. Using $J_0^{\prime }(u)=-J_1(u)$ in the Hankel representation of thin-disk gravity givesDifferentiation under the integral is justified by convergence for regular models, or by first working off the disk and taking the limiting radial field.

Write $C={\Sigma }_0{R}_0$. For the Mestel disk, the supplied Bessel function integral gives $S(k)=-2\pi GC/k$ for $k>0$. The circular speed is thenMeanwhile the interior mass is $M(R)=2\pi {\int }_0^R(C/s)sds=2\pi CR$. ConsequentlyThe Mestel disk has a flat galaxy rotation curve, despite its nonspherical geometry.

Its infinite total mass prevents setting the Newtonian gravitational potential to zero at infinity. Indeed the integral for $\Phi$ diverges at $k=0$ because $S(k)\sim 1/k$. Subtracting the potential at a reference point removes this additive divergence. As an explicit check, the Mestel disk potential-density pair isIt is harmonic for $z\ne 0$, its vertical derivative jump is $4\pi GC/R$, and $R{\Phi }_R(R,0)=2\pi GC$. Equivalently, an Abel regularization of an oscillatory integral with damping factor $e^{-ak}$ in the radial-field integral gives $R{\int }_0^{\infty }{e}^{-ak}{J}_1(kR)dk=1-a/\sqrt{a^2+R^2}$, which tends to one as $a\downarrow 0$. The force is well-defined although the unreferenced potential is not.

The equality with $GM(R)/R$ is special to the Mestel disk, not a thin-disk shell theorem. The spherical shell theorem normally makes that formula possible, but does not apply to an astrophysical disk. Exterior annuli exert outward radial gravitational acceleration inside their radii, while interior annuli do not act exactly as point masses at the origin. For this particular scale-free surface density, their combined contributions happen to produce the same result as the interior mass expression. Changing the radial surface density or truncating the disk generally destroys the equality: enclosed mass does not determine a disc rotation curve.

The cubic construction is a formal interior solution, not an isolated stellar equilibrium. The problem is more basic than whether a cubic star would be stable: the cubic polytrope fails isolated gravitational matching.

For a direct corner-force obstruction for a cubic polytrope, examine the corner at the origin. Every first derivative of the sine-product mass density vanishes there, so $\Phi =C-2K\rho$ predicts $\nabla \Phi (0)=0$. But the actual Newtonian gravitational potential of a positive mass density confined to this cube hasand similarly for the other two components. The integral is finite and strictly negative because the mass density is positive throughout the interior. The physical gravitational field is continuous up to this boundary point, so it cannot match the zero gradient of the proposed interior potential. An additive constant in the potential cannot fix that disagreement. The counterexample to a global interpretation is therefore the very constructed mass density: it solves the local equations but not the global gravitational boundary problem.

A nonrotating isolated fluid supported by an isotropic barotropic pressure normally has a spherical equilibrium. Rotation, tides and magnetic stresses can produce smooth departures from sphericity, but none of these is included in the cubic model, and no rigid walls exist to support its faces and corners. Observationally, ordinary stellar photospheres are consistent with approximately spherical shapes, or with oblateness and tidal distortions where those effects matter; there is no basis for expecting sharply bounded cubic stars. Thus the theoretical obstruction and the expected observations agree.

Take $\mathbf{r}={\mathbf{x}}_1-{\mathbf{x}}_2$, $r=|\mathbf{r}|$ and $M=M_1+M_2$. Newton's law of universal gravitation gives ${\ddot{\mathbf{x}}}_1=-G{M}_2\mathbf{r}/r^3$ and ${\ddot{\mathbf{x}}}_2=G{M}_1\mathbf{r}/r^3$. Subtracting yields the relative two-body equationThe reduced mass is $\mu =M_1{M}_2/M$. The orbital energy and angular momentum in the center of mass frame areDifferentiation givesThus both are conserved. The eccentricity vector isFor $\mathbf{h}=\mathbf{J}/\mu$, one has $\ddot{\mathbf{r}}\times \mathbf{h}/(GM)=\dot{\mathbf{r}}/r-\mathbf{r}(\mathbf{r}\cdot \dot{\mathbf{r}})/r^3=d(\mathbf{r}/r)/dt$, so $\dot{\mathbf{e}}=0$. In particular the orbital eccentricity is constant, withFor a bound Kepler orbit, $E=-GM\mu /(2a)$ and $J^2=GM{\mu }^{2}a(1-e^2)$.

For the far-field multipole expansion, set the center of mass to zero. Then ${\mathbf{x}}_1=(M_2/M)\mathbf{r}$ and ${\mathbf{x}}_2=-(M_1/M)\mathbf{r}$. At $x=|\mathbf{x}|\gg r$, expand each point-mass Newtonian gravitational potential:Repeated indices are summed. The dipole vanishes since ${\sum }_A{M}_A{\mathbf{x}}_A=0$, and ${\sum }_A{M}_A{x}_{Ai}{x}_{Aj}=\mu r_i{r}_j$. The second-order gravitational quadrupole potential of a point-mass binary is thereforeBoth tensors specified in the question are trace-free. Direct contraction givesso to the requested orderFor equal masses the cubic multipole also vanishes, but it need not vanish for unequal masses.

To evaluate the quadrupole formula, use $k=GM$, $\mathbf{v}=\dot{\mathbf{r}}$, $\mathbf{n}=\mathbf{r}/r$, $u=\dot{r}=\mathbf{n}\cdot \mathbf{v}$, and $\mathbf{w}=\mathbf{v}-u\mathbf{n}$. The acceleration and its derivative areThe third derivative of $r_i{r}_j$ is ${\dot{b}}_i{r}_j+r_i{\dot{b}}_j+3b_i{v}_j+3v_i{b}_j$. Its trace is $d^3(r^2)/d{t}^3=-2ku/r^2$. Substituting in $q_{ij}=\mu (3r_i{r}_j-r^2{\delta }_{ij})/2$ givesBecause $\mathbf{n}\cdot \mathbf{w}=0$, the cross tensor contraction is zero. The squared norms of the two bracketed pieces are $6u^2$ and $72w^2$, respectively. Thusand the instantaneous energy loss isThe parenthesis is $w^2+u^2/12\ge 0$, as required for positive radiated power. This is the instantaneous quadrupole luminosity of a Kepler binary with loss sign for the orbital energy.

A slowly evolving initially circular binary is expected to follow a quasi-circular inspiral at leading radiation order. One needs angular-momentum loss as well as energy loss for this conclusion: the rotating quadrupole has frequency $2\Omega$ and azimuthal harmonic number two, so its fluxes satisfy the gravitational-wave energy and angular-momentum balance $\dot{E}=\Omega \dot{J}$. Along the circular family,The flux relation is precisely the tangent condition for remaining on that family; equivalently it keeps $e^2=1+2E{J}^2/(G^2{M}^2{\mu }^3)$ equal to zero at leading secular order. The shrinking orbit is not an exact fixed-radius circle: its small radial drift is neglected at this adiabatic order.

For a circular orbit of instantaneous separation $a$, $u=0$ and $v^2=GM/a$. ThereforeDifferentiating $E=-GM\mu /(2a)$ at fixed masses now givesWriting $C=64G^3{M}^2\mu /(5c^5)$, the circular gravitational-wave inspiral obeys $a^4=a_0^4-4Ct$. The formal point-mass coalescence time is $a_0^4/(4C)$, and $\dot{P}/P=(3/2)\dot{a}/a$ gives a decreasing orbital period and increasing gravitational-wave frequency.

Gravitational radiation tightens a detached close binary and becomes more effective at small separation. It can bring a stellar donor into Roche-lobe overflow or drive compact objects toward merger. Finite radii, tides and mass transfer can then alter the evolution; the fixed-mass inspiral law is not the entire evolution law once these matter. Near merger the weak-field, slow-motion quadrupole formula also ceases to be sufficient.

In geometrized units, a mass is converted to a length by multiplying its SI value by $G/c^2$, or to a time by multiplying by $G/c^3$. Using the supplied constants, the solar mass becomesThus the characteristic scales are kilometres and a few microseconds. With potential zero at infinity, the Newtonian gravitational potential at the surface, in units of $c^2$, isIts very small magnitude is the relevant weak-field measure. In SI potential units the same number corresponds to about $-1.91\times 10^{11}{\mathrm{m}}^2{\mathrm{s}}^{-2}$.

Write $D_t={\partial }_t+\mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla$ and $\mathbf{L}=(\nabla \times \mathbf{B})\times \mathbf{B}/{\mu }_0$. The continuity equation converts a material specific-energy balance into a conservative energy density balance. Dot the ideal magnetohydrodynamic momentum equation with $\mathbf{u}$, and use the time independence of the Newtonian gravitational potential:For the energy density $U=p/(\gamma -1)$ associated with internal energy, the adiabatic pressure equation givesThe ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation and the cross-product divergence identity give the magnetic energy balanceIndeed $(\mathbf{u}\times \mathbf{B})\cdot (\nabla \times \mathbf{B})=-{\mu }_0\mathbf{u}\cdot \mathbf{L}$. The magnetic work cancels the kinetic magnetic work. The remaining pressure terms are $-\nabla \cdot (p\mathbf{u})$. Adding all three balances proves ideal magnetohydrodynamic energy conservation:whereThe last term is the Poynting vector with the ideal electric field $\mathbf{E}=-\mathbf{u}\times \mathbf{B}$. A time-dependent imposed potential would instead supply the source $\rho {\partial }_t\Phi$.