On the equilibrium statistical mechanics of isothermal classical self-gravitating matter

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Statistical Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042598· OSTI ID:5550976

Kiessling, M K.H. ^[1]

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1. Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum (West Germany)

The canonical ensemble is investigated for classical self-gravitating matter in a finite container {Lambda}{sup (d)} {contained in} R{sup d}, d = 3 and 2. Starting with modified gravitational interactions (smoothed-out singularity), it is proven by explicit construction that, in the w*-topology, the canonical equilibrium measure converges to a superposition of Dirac measures when the limit of exact Newtonian gravitational interactions between classical point particles is taken. The consequences of this result for more realistic classical systems are evaluated, and the existence of a gravitational phase transition is proven. The results are discussed with view toward applications in astrophysics and space science. Some attention is paid also to the problem of founding thermodynamics by means of statistical mechanics.

• OSTI ID: 5550976
• Journal Information: Journal of Statistical Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Statistical Physics; (USA) Vol. 55:1-2; ISSN 0022-4715; ISSN JSTPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
657002 -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
657003* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Relativity & Gravitation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
CANONICAL TRANSFORMATIONS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
DIRAC APPROXIMATION
ENERGY
ENTROPY
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUIDS
FREE ENERGY
FUNCTIONS
GASES
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
MATTER
MEASURE THEORY
MECHANICS
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE MODELS
PARTITION FUNCTIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM MECHANICS
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMICS
TOPOLOGY
TRANSFORMATIONS