Virial Equilibrium of Adiabatic Spheres (Summary)

The summary presented here has been drawn from our accompanying detailed analysis of the structure of pressure-truncated polytropes.

Detailed Force-Balanced Solution

As has been discussed in detail in another chapter, Horedt (1970), Whitworth (1981) and Stahler (1983) have separately derived what the equilibrium radius, <math>~R_\mathrm{eq}</math>, is of a polytropic sphere that is embedded in an external medium of pressure, <math>~P_e</math>. Their solution of the detailed force-balanced equations provides a pair of analytic expressions for <math>~R_\mathrm{eq}</math> and <math>~P_e</math> that are parametrically related to one another through the Lane-Emden function, <math>~\theta</math>, and its radial derivative. For example — see our related discussion for more details — from Horedt's work we obtain the following pair of equations:

<math> ~\frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{norm}} = r_a \cdot \biggl( \frac{R_\mathrm{Horedt}}{R_\mathrm{norm}} \biggr) </math>	<math>~=~</math>	<math> \tilde\xi ( -\tilde\xi^2 \tilde\theta' )^{(1-n)/(n-3)} \biggl[ \frac{4\pi}{(n+1)^n} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}}\biggr)^{n-1} \biggr]^{1/(n-3)} \, , </math>
<math> ~\frac{P_\mathrm{e}}{P_\mathrm{norm}} = p_a \cdot \biggl( \frac{P_\mathrm{Horedt}}{P_\mathrm{norm}} \biggr) </math>	<math>~=~</math>	<math> \tilde\theta^{n+1}( -\tilde\xi^2 \tilde\theta' )^{2(n+1)/(n-3)} \biggl[ \frac{(n+1)^3}{4\pi} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr)^{-2}\biggr]^{(n+1)/(n-3)} \, , </math>

where we have introduced the normalizations,

<math>~R_\mathrm{norm}</math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math>~\biggl[ \biggl( \frac{G}{K} \biggr)^n M_\mathrm{tot}^{n-1} \biggr]^{1/(n-3)} \, ,</math>
<math>~P_\mathrm{norm}</math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math>~\biggl[ \frac{K^{4n}}{G^{3(n+1)} M_\mathrm{tot}^{2(n+1)}} \biggr]^{1/(n-3)} \, .</math>

In the expressions for <math>~r_a</math> and <math>~p_a</math>, the tilde indicates that the Lane-Emden function and its derivative are to be evaluated, not at the radial coordinate, <math>~\xi_1</math>, that is traditionally associated with the "first zero" of the Lane-Emden function and therefore with the surface of the isolated polytrope, but at the radial coordinate, <math>~\tilde\xi</math>, where the internal pressure of the isolated polytrope equals <math>~P_e</math> and at which the embedded polytrope is to be truncated. The coordinate, <math>~\tilde\xi</math>, therefore identifies the surface of the embedded — or, pressure-truncated — polytrope. We also have taken the liberty of attaching the subscript "limit" to <math>~M</math> in both defining relations because it is clear that Horedt intended for the normalization mass to be the mass of the pressure-truncated object, not the mass of the associated isolated (and untruncated) polytrope.

From these previously published works, it is not obvious how — or even whether — this pair of parametric equations can be combined to directly show how the equilibrium radius depends on the value of the external pressure. Our examination of the free-energy of these configurations and, especially, an application of the viral theorem shows this direct relationship. Foreshadowing these results, we note that,

<math>~\biggl[ \biggl(\frac{P_e}{P_\mathrm{norm}}\biggr) \biggl(\frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{norm}} \biggr)^4\biggr]_\mathrm{Horedt} </math>

<math> \biggl[ \frac{\tilde\theta^{n+1} }{(4\pi)(n+1)( -\tilde\theta' )^{2}} \biggr] \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}}\biggr)^{2} \, ; </math>

or, given that <math>~P_\mathrm{norm}R_\mathrm{norm}^4 = GM_\mathrm{tot}^2</math>, this can be rewritten as,

<math>~\biggl[ \frac{P_e R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2} \biggr]_\mathrm{Horedt} </math>

<math> \frac{\tilde\theta^{n+1} }{(4\pi)(n+1)( -\tilde\theta' )^{2}} \, . </math>

Free Energy Function and Virial Theorem

The variation with size of the normalized free energy, <math>~\mathfrak{G}^*</math>, of pressure-truncated adiabatic spheres is described by the following,

Algebraic Free-Energy Function

<math> \mathfrak{G}^* = -3\mathcal{A} \chi^{-1} +~ \frac{1}{(\gamma - 1)} \mathcal{B} \chi^{3-3\gamma} +~ \mathcal{D}\chi^3 \, . </math>

In this expression, the size of the configuration is set by the value of the dimensionless radius, <math>~\chi \equiv R/R_\mathrm{norm}</math>; as is clarified, below, the values of the coefficients, <math>~\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>~\mathcal{B}</math>, characterize the relative importance, respectively, of the gravitational potential energy and the internal thermal energy of the configuration; <math>~\gamma</math> is the exponent (from the adopted equation of state) that identifies the adiabat along which the configuration heats or cools upon expansion or contraction; and the relative importance of the imposed external pressure is expressed through the free-energy expression's third constant coefficient, specifically,

<math>~\mathcal{D} \equiv \frac{4\pi}{3} \biggl( \frac{P_e}{P_\mathrm{norm}} \biggr) \, .</math>

When examining a range of physically reasonable configuration sizes for a given choice of the constants <math>~(\gamma, \mathcal{A}, \mathcal{B}, \mathcal{D})</math>, a plot of <math>~\mathfrak{G}^*</math> versus <math>~\chi</math> will often reveal one or two extrema. Each extremum is associated with an equilibrium radius, <math>~\chi_\mathrm{eq} \equiv R_\mathrm{eq}/R_\mathrm{norm}</math>.

Equilibrium Adiabatic Pressure-Radius Diagram

Equilibrium radii may also be identified through an algebraic relation that originates from the scalar virial theorem — a theorem that, itself, is derivable from the free-energy expression by setting <math>~\partial\mathfrak{G}^*/\partial\chi = 0</math>. In our accompanying detailed analysis of the structure of pressure-truncated polytropes, we use the virial theorem to show that the equilibrium radii that are identified by extrema in the free-energy function always satisfy the following,

Algebraic Expression of the Virial Theorem

<math> \Pi_\mathrm{ad} = \frac{(\Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{4-3\gamma} - 1)}{\Chi_\mathrm{ad}^4} \, , </math>

where, after setting <math>~\gamma = (n+1)/n</math>,

<math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math> ~\mathcal{D} \biggl[ \frac{\mathcal{A}^{3(n+1)}}{\mathcal{B}^{4n}} \biggr]^{1/(n-3)} \, , </math> and,
<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math> ~\chi_\mathrm{eq} \biggl[ \frac{\mathcal{B}}{\mathcal{A}} \biggr]^{n/(n-3)} \, . </math>

The curves shown in the accompanying "pressure-radius" diagram trace out this derived virial-theorem function for six different values of the adiabatic exponent, <math>~\gamma</math>, as labeled. They show the dimensionless external pressure, <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>, that is required to construct a nonrotating, self-gravitating, adiabatic sphere with a dimensionless equilibrium radius <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math>. The mathematical solution becomes unphysical wherever the pressure becomes negative.

If we multiply the above free=energy function through by an appropriate combination of the coefficients, <math>~\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>~\mathcal{B}</math>, and make the substitution, <math>~\gamma \rightarrow (n+1)/n</math>, it also takes on a particularly simple form featuring the newly defined dimensionless external pressure, <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>, and the newly identified dimensionless radius, <math>~\Chi \equiv \chi(\mathcal{B}/\mathcal{A})^{n/(n-3)}</math>. Specifically, we obtain the,

Renormalized Free-Energy Function

<math> \mathfrak{G}^{**} \equiv \mathfrak{G}^* \biggl[ \frac{\mathcal{A}^3}{\mathcal{B}^n} \biggr]^{1/(n-3)} = -3 \Chi^{-1} +~ n\Chi^{-3/n} +~ \Pi_\mathrm{ad}\Chi^3 \, . </math>

Relationship to Detailed Force-Balanced Models

Structural Form Factors

In our accompanying detailed analysis, we demonstrate that the expressions given above for the free-energy function and the virial theorem are correct in sufficiently strict detail that they can be used to precisely match — and assist in understanding — the equilibrium of embedded polytropes whose structures have been determined from the set of detailed force-balance equations. In order to draw this association, it is only necessary to realize that, very broadly, the constant coefficients, <math>~\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>~\mathcal{B}</math>, in the above algebraic free-energy expression are expressible in terms of three structural form factors, <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_M</math>, <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_W</math>, and <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_A</math>, as follows:

<math>~\mathcal{A}</math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math>\frac{1}{5} \cdot \biggl[ \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr) \frac{1}{\tilde\mathfrak{f}_M} \biggr]^2 \cdot \tilde\mathfrak{f}_W \, ,</math>
<math>~\mathcal{B}</math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math> \frac{4\pi}{3} \biggl[ \frac{3}{4\pi} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}}\biggr) \frac{1}{\tilde\mathfrak{f}_M} \biggr]_\mathrm{eq}^{(n+1)/n} \cdot \tilde\mathfrak{f}_A = \frac{4\pi}{3} \biggl[ \biggl( \frac{P_c}{P_\mathrm{norm}} \biggr)\chi^{3(n+1)/n} \biggr]_\mathrm{eq} \cdot \tilde\mathfrak{f}_A \, ; </math>

and that, specifically in the context of spherically symmetric, pressure-truncated polytropes, we can write,

<math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_M</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~ \biggl[ - \frac{3\tilde\theta^'}{\tilde\xi} \biggr] \, ,</math>
<math>\tilde\mathfrak{f}_W </math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~\frac{3^2\cdot 5}{5-n} \biggl[ \frac{\tilde\theta^'}{\tilde\xi} \biggr]^2 \, ,</math>
<math>\tilde\mathfrak{f}_A </math>	<math>~=</math>	<math> \frac{3(n+1) }{(5-n)} ~\biggl[ \tilde\theta^' \biggr]^2 + \tilde\theta^{n+1} \, . </math>

After plugging these nontrivial expressions for <math>~\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>~\mathcal{B}</math> into the righthand sides of the above equations for <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math> and <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math> and, simultaneously, using Horedt's detailed force-balanced expressions for <math>~r_a</math> and <math>~p_a</math> to specify, respectively, <math>~\chi_\mathrm{eq}</math> and <math>~P_e/P_\mathrm{norm}</math> in these same equations, we find that,

<math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} (1 + \eta_\mathrm{ad})^{-4n/(n-3)} \, ,</math>
<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~(1 + \eta_\mathrm{ad})^{n/(n-3)} \, ,</math>

where the newly identified, key physical parameter,

<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} </math>

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~\frac{(5-n) \tilde\theta^{n+1}}{3(n+1) (\tilde\theta^')^2} \, .</math>

It is straightforward to show that this more compact pair of expressions for <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math> and <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math> satisfy the virial theorem presented above.

Physical Meaning of Parameter <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math>

As defined in our above discussion, <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math> is the ratio of the two terms that are summed together in the definition of the structural form factor, <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_A</math>. It is worth pointing out what physical quantities are associated with these two terms.

At any radial location within a polytropic configuration, the Lane-Emden function, <math>~\theta</math>, is defined in terms of a ratio of the local density to the configuration's central density, specifically,

<math>\theta \equiv \biggl(\frac{\rho}{\rho_c} \biggr)^{1/n} \, .</math>

Remembering that, at any location within the configuration, the pressure is related to the density via the polytropic equation of state,

we see that,

<math>\frac{P}{P_c} = \theta^{n+1} \, .</math>

Hence, the quantity, <math>~\tilde\theta^{n+1}</math>, which appears as the second term in our definition of <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_A</math>, is the ratio, <math>~(P/P_c)_{\tilde\xi}</math>, evaluated at the surface of the truncated polytropic sphere. But, by construction, the pressure at this location equals the pressure of the external medium in which the polytrope is embedded, so we can write,

<math>\tilde\theta^{n+1} = \frac{P_e}{P_c} \, .</math>

In our accompanying detailed analysis, we have employed the virial theorem expression to demonstrate that the first term in our definition of <math>~\tilde\mathfrak{f}_A</math> provides a measure the configuration's normalized central pressure. Specifically, we show that,

<math>~\biggl( \frac{4\pi}{3} \biggr) \frac{P_c R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}</math>

<math>~[3 (n+1) (\tilde\theta^')^2]^{-1} \, .</math>

We conclude, therefore, that quite generally,

<math>(5-n) \tilde\mathfrak{f}_A </math>	<math>~=</math>	<math> \biggl( \frac{3}{4\pi} \biggr) \frac{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}{P_c R_\mathrm{eq}^4} + (5-n) \frac{P_e}{P_c} </math>
	<math>~=</math>	<math> \biggl( \frac{3}{4\pi} \biggr) \frac{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}{P_c R_\mathrm{eq}^4} \biggl[1 + \eta_\mathrm{ad} \biggr] \, , </math>

and that,

<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} </math>

<math>\biggl[ \frac{4\pi (5-n)}{3} \biggr] \frac{P_e R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2} \, .</math>

Desired Pressure-Radius Relation

It is now clear from our review, above, of Horedt's detailed force-balanced solution, that

<math>\frac{4\pi (5-n)}{3}\biggl[\frac{P_e R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2} \biggr]_\mathrm{Horedt} </math>

<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} \, .</math>

Hence, the pair of parametric equations obtained via a solution of the detailed force-balanced equations satisfy our, slightly rearranged,

Algebraic Expression of the Virial Theorem

<math> \Pi_\mathrm{ad} \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^4 = \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} - 1 \, . </math>

More to the point, it is now clear that this virial theorem expression provides the direct relationship between the configuration's dimensionless equilibrium radius as defined by Horedt, <math>~r_a</math>, and the dimensionless applied external pressure as defined by Horedt, <math>~p_a</math>, that was not apparent from the original pair of parametric relations. Horedt's parameters, <math>~r_a</math> and <math>~p_a</math>, can be directly associated to our parameters, <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math> and <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>, via two new normalizations, <math>~r_n</math> and <math>~p_n</math>, defined through the relations,

<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad} = \frac{r_a}{r_n}</math>

and

<math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad} = \frac{p_a}{p_n} \, .</math>

Specifically in terms of the coefficients in the free-energy expression,

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~ \frac{(n+1)^n}{4\pi} \biggl[ \mathcal{A} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr)^{-2} \biggr]^n \biggl[ \mathcal{B} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr)^{-(n+1)/n} \biggr]^{-n} \, , </math>

and,

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~ \frac{3^{n-3}}{(4\pi)^4 (n+1)^{3(n+1)}} \biggl[ \mathcal{A} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr)^{-2} \biggr]^{-3(n+1)} \biggl[ \mathcal{B} \biggl( \frac{M_\mathrm{limit}}{M_\mathrm{tot}} \biggr)^{-(n+1)/n} \biggr]^{4n} \, ; </math>

while, in terms of the structural form factors,

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~ \frac{1}{3} \biggl[ \frac{(n+1)}{5} \cdot \frac{\mathfrak{f}_W}{\mathfrak{f}_A} \biggr]^n \mathfrak{f}_M^{1-n} \, , </math>

and,

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~ \frac{1}{(4\pi)^8} \biggl[ \frac{3\cdot 5^3}{(n+1)^3} \cdot \frac{\mathfrak{f}_M^2}{\mathfrak{f}_W^3} \biggr]^{n+1} \mathfrak{f}_A^{4n} \, . </math>

Discussion

Model Sequences

Equilibrium Adiabatic Pressure-Radius Diagram

After choosing a value for the system's adiabatic index (or, equivalently, its polytropic index), <math>~\gamma = (n+1)/n</math>, the functional form of the virial theorem expression, <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}(\chi_\mathrm{ad})</math>, is known and, hence, the equilibrium model sequence can be plotted. Half-a-dozen such model sequences are shown in the figure near the beginning of this discussion. Each curve can be viewed as mapping out a single-parameter sequence of equilibrium models; "evolution" along the curve can be accomplished by varying the key parameter, <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math>, over the physically relevant range, <math>0 \le \eta_\mathrm{ad} < \infty</math>. To simplify our discussion, here, we redisplay the above figure and repeat a few key algebraic relations.

<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} </math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math>~\frac{(5-n) \tilde\theta^{n+1}}{3(n+1) (\tilde\theta^')^2} = \biggl[ \frac{4\pi (5-n)}{3} \biggr] \frac{P_e R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}\, ,</math>
<math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} (1 + \eta_\mathrm{ad})^{-4n/(n-3)} \, ,</math>
<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~(1 + \eta_\mathrm{ad})^{n/(n-3)} \, ,</math>

When <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math> is zero

For the types of systems that are presently most relevant to astrophysical discussions, the key parameter, <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math>, can be zero for one of two reasons: Either <math>~n=5</math>; or <math>~\tilde\theta \rightarrow \theta_{\xi_1} = 0</math>. In the latter case, all curves converge on the same point, that is, <math>~(\Chi_\mathrm{ad}, \Pi_\mathrm{ad}) = (1, 0)</math>. This corresponds to the case of no external medium <math>~(P_e = 0)</math> and, hence, the associated equilibrium configuration is the familiar isolated polytropic sphere. As can be deduced from our above discussion of the algebraic expression of the virial theorem, because <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad} = 1</math>, the equilibrium radius of such a configuration is,

<math>~\frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{norm}} = \chi_\mathrm{eq}</math>

<math>~\biggl[ \frac{\mathcal{A}}{\mathcal{B}} \biggr]^{n/(n-3)} \, .</math>

As is demonstrated in an accompanying discussion and also mentioned above, after inserting the relevant expressions for the free-energy coefficients, <math>~\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>~\mathcal{B}</math>, this provides the key relationship between the mass, equilibrium radius, and central pressure of an isolated polytrope, namely,

<math>~\frac{P_c R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}</math>

<math>~\frac{1}{[4\pi (n+1) (\theta^')^2]_{\xi_1}} \, .</math>

As we have reviewed elsewhere — see also our detailed discussion of isolated polytropes — this is a familiar relationship, appearing prominently in Chapter IV (p. 99, equations 80 and 81) of Chandrasekhar [C67] in association with his discussion of the dimensionless coefficient, <math>~W_n</math>, and the central pressure of polytropes.

In the former case — that is, in the case where <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} \rightarrow 0</math> because the chosen polytropic index is, <math>~n=5</math> — it must be the case that <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad} = 1</math> along the entire sequence (see the green curve labeled <math>~\gamma = (n+1)/n = 6/5</math> in the accompanying figure). This means that the expression for the central pressure,

<math>~\frac{P_c R_\mathrm{eq}^4}{G M_\mathrm{limit}^2}</math>

<math>~\frac{1}{[4\pi (n+1) (\tilde\theta^')^2]} \, ,</math>

does not explicitly depend on the size of the applied external pressure. But the central pressure does depend on the radial location at which the configuration is truncated, via the parameter <math>~\tilde\theta^'</math>, which is evaluated at <math>~\tilde\xi</math>, rather than at <math>~\xi_1</math>.

Stability

Analysis of the free-energy function allows us to not only ascertain the equilibrium radius of isolated polytropes and pressure-truncated polytropic configurations, but also the relative stability of these configurations. We begin by repeating the,

Renormalized Free-Energy Function

<math> \mathfrak{G}^{**} = -3 \Chi^{-1} +~ n\Chi^{-3/n} +~ \Pi_\mathrm{ad}\Chi^3 \, . </math>

The first and second derivatives of <math>~\mathfrak{G}^{**}</math>, with respect to the dimensionless radius, <math>~\Chi</math>, are, respectively,

<math>~\frac{\partial\mathfrak{G}^{**}}{\partial\Chi}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~3 \Chi^{-2} -3\Chi^{-(n+3)/n} + 3\Pi_\mathrm{ad} \Chi^2 \, ,</math>
<math>~\frac{\partial^2\mathfrak{G}^{**}}{\partial\Chi^2}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~-6 \Chi^{-3} + \frac{3(n+3)}{n} \Chi^{-(2n+3)/n} + 6\Pi_\mathrm{ad} \Chi \, .</math>

As alluded to, above, equilibrium radii are identified by values of <math>~\Chi</math> that satisfy the equation, <math>\partial\mathfrak{G}^{**}/\partial\Chi = 0</math>. Specifically, marking equilibrium radii with the subscript "ad", they will satisfy the

Algebraic Expression of the Virial Theorem

<math> \Pi_\mathrm{ad} = \frac{\Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} - 1}{\Chi_\mathrm{ad}^4} \, . </math>

Dynamical stability then depends on the sign of the second derivative of <math>~\mathfrak{G}^{**}</math>, evaluated at the equilibrium radius; specifically, configurations will be stable if,

<math>~\frac{\partial^2\mathfrak{G}^{**}}{\partial\Chi^2}\biggr|_{\Chi_\mathrm{ad}}</math>

<math>~0 \, ,</math> (stable)

and they will be unstable if, upon evaluation at the equilibrium radius, the sign of the second derivative is less than zero. Hence, isolated polytropes as well as pressure-truncated polytropic configurations will be stable if,

<math>~0</math>	<math>~< </math>	<math>~3 \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{-3} \biggl[ - 2 + \frac{(n+3)}{n} \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} + 2\Pi_\mathrm{ad} \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^4 \biggr]</math>
	<math>~< </math>	<math>~3 \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{-3} \biggl\{ \frac{(n+3)}{n} \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} + 2[\Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} -1] - 2\biggr\}</math>
	<math>~< </math>	<math>~3 \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{-3} \biggl[ \frac{3(n+1)}{n} \Chi_\mathrm{ad}^{(n-3)/n} - 4\biggr]</math>
<math>\Rightarrow~~~~\Chi_\mathrm{ad}</math>	<math>~> </math>	<math>~\biggl[ \frac{4n}{3(n+1)} \biggr]^{n/(n-3)} \, .</math> (stable)

Reference to this stability condition proves to be simpler if we define the limiting configuration size as,

<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{min} \equiv \biggl[ \frac{4n}{3(n+1)} \biggr]^{n/(n-3)} \, ,</math>

and write the stability condition as,

<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{ad} > \Chi_\mathrm{min} \, .</math> (stable)

When examining the equilibrium sequences found in the upper-righthand quadrant of the figure at the top of this page — each corresponding to a different value of the polytropic index, <math>~n > 3</math> or <math>~n < 0</math> — we find that <math>~\Chi_\mathrm{min}</math> corresponds to the location along each sequence where the dimensionless external pressure, <math>~\Pi_\mathrm{ad}</math>, reaches a maximum. (Keeping in mind that the virial theorem defines each of these sequences, this statement of fact can be checked by identifying where the condition, <math>~\partial\Pi_\mathrm{ad}/\partial\Chi_\mathrm{ad} = 0</math>, occurs according to the algebraic expression of the virial theorem.) Hence, we conclude that, along each sequence, no equilibrium configurations exist for values of the dimensionless external pressure that are greater than,

<math>~\Pi_\mathrm{max}</math>	<math>~\equiv</math>	<math>~\Chi_\mathrm{min}^{-4} \biggl[ \Chi_\mathrm{min}^{(n-3)/n} - 1 \biggr] </math>
	<math>~=</math>	<math>~\biggl[ \frac{3(n+1)}{4n} \biggr]^{4n/(n-3)} \biggl[\frac{4n}{3(n+1)} - 1 \biggr]</math>
	<math>~=</math>	<math>~\biggl\{ \biggl[ \frac{3(n+1)}{4n} \biggr]^{4n} \biggl[\frac{n-3}{3(n+1)} \biggr]^{n-3} \biggr\}^{1/(n-3)}</math>
<math>~\Rightarrow~~~~\Pi_\mathrm{max}^{n-3}</math>	<math>~=</math>	<math>~(4n)^{-4n}~[3(n+1)]^{3(n+1)} ~(n-3)^{n-3} \, .</math>

In the context of a general examination of the free-energy of pressure-truncated polytropes, it is worth noting that this limit on the external pressure also establishes a limit on the coefficient, <math>~\mathcal{D}</math>, that appears in the free energy function. Specifically, we will not expect to find any extrema in the free energy if,

<math>~\mathcal{D} > \mathcal{D}_\mathrm{max}</math>

<math>~\equiv</math>

<math>~(n-3) \biggl\{ \biggl[ \frac{\mathcal{B}}{4n} \biggr]^{4n}~\biggl[ \frac{3(n+1)}{\mathcal{A}} \biggr]^{3(n+1)} ~\biggr\}^{1/(n-3)} \, .</math>

Finally, it is worth noting that the point along each equilibrium sequence that is identified by the coordinates, <math>~(\Chi_\mathrm{min}, \Pi_\mathrm{max})</math> always corresponds to,

<math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad} = \eta_\mathrm{crit} \equiv \frac{n-3}{3(n+1)} \, .</math>

User:Tohline/SSC/Virial/PolytropesSummary

Contents

Virial Equilibrium of Adiabatic Spheres (Summary)

Detailed Force-Balanced Solution

Free Energy Function and Virial Theorem

Relationship to Detailed Force-Balanced Models

Structural Form Factors

Physical Meaning of Parameter <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math>

Desired Pressure-Radius Relation

Discussion

Model Sequences

When <math>~\eta_\mathrm{ad}</math> is zero

Stability

Navigation menu

Search