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The Virial Theorem in Stellar Astrophysics (Collins)

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    141427
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    This book explores the application of the virial theorem to astrophysical problems, covering its derivation, generalizations (like tensor and relativistic forms), and applications to stellar systems, including white dwarfs and neutron stars, and the stability of galaxies. The book explains how the theorem relates the total kinetic and potential energies of a self-gravitating system, providing a powerful tool for understanding the structure and stability of stars and galaxies, even in the presence of magnetic fields and rotation

    Thumbnail: Hubble Views Stellar Genesis in the Southern Pinwheel. (Public Domain; NASA via Flickr)


    This page titled The Virial Theorem in Stellar Astrophysics (Collins) is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by George W. Collins II (Pachart Foundation) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.