Virial Theorem — N-body Gravity

⟨2K⟩ + ⟨V⟩ = 0 at virial equilibrium — statistical mechanics of self-gravitating systems

Parameters

Energy Monitor

Kinetic K:
Potential V:
Total E = K+V:
2K/|V| ratio:
⟨2K/|V|⟩ avg:

Virial Theorem

Clausius (1870): for a stable bound gravitational system in equilibrium,

2⟨K⟩ + ⟨V⟩ = 0

so ⟨E⟩ = ⟨K⟩ + ⟨V⟩ = −⟨K⟩ < 0. Adding energy (heating) makes the system expand and cool — negative heat capacity! Used to estimate cluster masses from observed velocities (dark matter detection), stellar stability (white dwarfs, neutron stars).