Addition of grav potentials / Orbital velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the addition of gravitational potentials and orbital velocity, particularly in the context of mass distribution influenced by dark matter. Participants are exploring the integration of density functions to determine mass contributions in a gravitational context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of density to find mass, questioning the notation used for variables and the implications of varying density with radius. There is also a focus on distinguishing between contributions from different mass components, such as stars and dark matter.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the integration process and the need to account for multiple mass terms. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct interpretation of the problem and the relationships between the variables involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions of mass terms and the integration limits, indicating a need for clarity on the problem setup and assumptions about density.

ValarDohaeris
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The Attempt at a Solution



I think I may of been too general with the volume in finding [tex]M_0[/tex]
I'm assuming [tex]r_0 = r_M[/tex] although I'm not sure why different notation is used thougj

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/gravscan.jpg/
 

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ValarDohaeris said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I think I may of been too general with the volume in finding [tex]M_0[/tex]
I'm assuming [tex]r_0 = r_M[/tex] although I'm not sure why different notation is used thougj

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/gravscan.jpg/

Yup. You need to integrate to find the mass due to the dark matter since its density is not constant with r.
 
I integrated betwee r0 and 0 and got.

M(r) = 4∏ρ0r30

v2 = GM/r
Not sure where to go from here to get the second term.
 
ValarDohaeris said:
I integrated betwee r0 and 0 and got.

M(r) = 4∏ρ0r30
That doesn't look quite right. What happened to the constant ro from the density function?
v2 = GM/r
Not sure where to go from here to get the second term.

You should have two mass terms to add together. The first one is the trivial M for the central stars, while the second is due to the mass of the dark matter.
 
Ah cheers got it now, misread the question was thinking M was the total mass of sphere rather than just the stars contributions.. [tex]M(r)_{dm} = 4πρ_0r^2_0r[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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