[Home]Virial theorem

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The virial theorem states that the total kinetic energy of the objects in a spherical, self-gravitating, stable assembly is equal to negative 1/2 times the total gravitational potential energy, if the objects can be assumed to have equal masses.

A mathematical analysis of the virial theorem can be found at http://astrosun.tn.cornell.edu/courses/astro201/vt.htm


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Last edited October 30, 2001 3:11 am by The Epopt (diff)
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