Deriving Gauss' Law for Gravity from Newton's Law

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on deriving Gauss' Law for gravity from Newton's Law of gravitation. The key equations involved are Newton's gravitational field equation, \(\mathbf{g}(\mathbf{r}) = -G\frac{m_1}{{\vert \mathbf{r}\vert^2}}\hat{\mathbf{r}}\), and the divergence form, \(\nabla\cdot\mathbf{g} = -4\pi G \rho\). The divergence theorem is essential for this derivation, as it connects the gravitational field to mass density. The discussion emphasizes the need to understand the divergence of the gravitational field and its relation to mass distribution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Newton's Law of Gravitation
  • Divergence Theorem
  • Vector Calculus
  • Understanding of Dirac Delta Function
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Divergence Theorem in detail
  • Learn about the applications of Gauss's Law for gravity
  • Explore the derivation of the Dirac Delta Function
  • Investigate gravitational field equations in various coordinate systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, particularly those studying classical mechanics and gravitational theories, as well as educators and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of gravitational laws.

Varnick
Messages
77
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


How would I derive Gauss' law for gravity from Newton's law?

Homework Equations



\mathbf{g}(\mathbf{r}) &=& -G\frac{m_1}{{\vert \mathbf{r}\vert^2}}\hat{\mathbf{r}}

to

\nabla\cdot\mathbf{g} = -4\pi G \rho

The Attempt at a Solution


I have no reference material outside the wide and bountiful internet, and wikipedia gives this equation as the first step of the derivation, which is where I'm really stuck.

\mathbf{g}(\mathbf{r}) = -G\int_V \frac{\rho(\mathbf{s})(\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{s})}{|\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{s}|^3} dV(\mathbf{s})

I'm just not sure how on Earth I'd get to this equation, any help appreciated.

V
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think that you'll need to use the divergence theorem (look it up on wikipedia). On the wikipedia webpage you can actually look at this problem under the applications part ('Gauss's law for gravity').
 
It may help at some point if you know that
\nabla\cdot\frac{\vec{r}}{r^2} = 4\pi\delta^3({\vec{r}})
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
613
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
915
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
1K