Explaining the Virial Theorem in Astrophysics

[shounakbhatta]

Hello,

I am reading Virial theorem from Wikipedia.

It states in astrophysics, virial relations are:

3/5 GM/R=3/2...

I want to know how this 3/5 and 3/2 value comes from?

If somebody can explain the step by step deduction of the Virial theorem in Astrophysics...

Thanks,

-- Shounak

 

[cepheid]

Why not look it up yourself? The book Galaxy Formation by Malcom S. Longair has a derivation in section 3.5.1 (page 63). Actually, you can even read this section as part of the Google Books preview:

http://books.google.ca/books?id=e-wJHSBOuZAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

I also seem to recall that Caroll & Ostlie (the huge orange textbook that many undergrads majoring in astro use) has a section on this as well.