A test star inside an infinite planar slab of uniform mass density experiences acceleration . Reflection symmetry gives zero vertical gravitational field at the mid-plane, and integrating the gravitational Poisson equation gives the field linear in height. The interior orbit is therefore simple harmonic motion; release from rest at any height within the slab gives its first mid-plane crossing after . Finite radial extent, a varying vertical mass density or leaving the slab changes this result.
Articles by others on the same topic
There are currently no matching articles.