For an isolated quasistatic cluster with near-zero escape energies, the bound negative energy is approximately fixed. The virial theorem and gravitational radius then imply . A homologous mean density scales as and increases as mass evaporates. Tidal limitation or finite positive escape energies modifies this simple model.
Virial equilibrium 2026-10-07
A bounded gravitational system in statistical equilibrium satisfies the time-averaged virial theorem. For inverse-distance gravity with negligible boundary stresses, . This relation does not require static particles or a homogeneous density profile, and reaching it does not erase the system's dynamical history.
For a homologous, isolated collapsing sphere, write its Newtonian gravitational potential energy as . At spherical-collapse turnaround the coherent kinetic energy vanishes. Conserving total energy and applying the virial theorem to the final equilibrium gives and hence . If the gravitational structure coefficient changes, the ratio is instead. Mass loss, surface pressure, external tides and energy exchange also change this estimate.
Virial temperature 2026-10-06
The virial temperature characterizes the thermal energy of gas supported in a gravitational potential. It is of order , with a structural coefficient determined by the density profile. For a uniform self-gravitating gas sphere the virial theorem gives ; a conventional halo circular-speed definition often uses .