Gauss' Theorem for gravitational force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the application of Gauss' Theorem to gravitational force, specifically addressing the divergence of the gravitational field. A participant initially claims that the divergence of the gravitational field, represented as ∇·g, is zero, which is contested by another who points out that it should actually equal -4πG times the sum of Dirac delta functions for point masses. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly applying partial derivatives when calculating the divergence and suggests using spherical coordinates for clarity. A critical point raised is the physical significance of the divergence, which should relate to mass density. The thread emphasizes the common errors in understanding gravitational fields and their mathematical representations.
coki2000
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Hello,
I wonder that the gauss' theorem for gravitational force area.

\int\int_S \vec{g}\hat{n}dS=-4\pi GM=\int\int\int_V \vec{\nabla}\stackrel{\rightarrow}{g}dV

\vec{g}=-G\frac{M}{r^2}\hat{r}\Rightarrow\hat{r}=\frac{\vec{r}}{r}\Rightarrow\vec{g}=-G\frac{M}{r^3}\vec{r}

for \vec{r}=x\hat{x}+y\hat{y}+z\hat{z} and r=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}

\vec{\nabla}\vec{g}=-\frac{\partial}{\partial x}G\frac{M}{r^3}x-\frac{\partial }{\partial y}G\frac{M}{r^3}y-\frac{\partial }{\partial z}G\frac{M}{r^3}z=0

The divergence of g has 0 so \int\int_S\vec{g}\hat{n}dS=0

Where do I wrong please help me.Thanks.
 
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Uh, I'm not sure I understand all of your equations there. By \vec{\nabla}\vec{g}, did you mean, \vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g}?

If so, then you should know that \vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} is not zero. The correct expression is,

\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} = -4\pi G\sum_{i=0}^n m_i \delta^3(\vec{r} - \vec{r_i})

When dealing witih point masses, the divergence of the gravitational field is a sum of Dirac delta functions. That way when you take the surface integral of the gravitational field, the volume integral that you have to take on the right hand side will give you 4\pi G times the sum of the point masses inside the surface of integration. This is actually a very common error, and Griffiths' E&M book discusses it in the first chapter on vector calculus.

Hope that helps!
 
Last edited:
coki2000 said:
Hello,
I wonder that the gauss' theorem for gravitational force area.

\int\int_S \vec{g}\hat{n}dS=-4\pi GM=\int\int\int_V \vec{\nabla}\stackrel{\rightarrow}{g}dV

\vec{g}=-G\frac{M}{r^2}\hat{r}\Rightarrow\hat{r}=\frac{\vec{r}}{r}\Rightarrow\vec{g}=-G\frac{M}{r^3}\vec{r}

for \vec{r}=x\hat{x}+y\hat{y}+z\hat{z} and r=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}

\vec{\nabla}\vec{g}=-\frac{\partial}{\partial x}G\frac{M}{r^3}x-\frac{\partial }{\partial y}G\frac{M}{r^3}y-\frac{\partial }{\partial z}G\frac{M}{r^3}z=0

The divergence of g has 0 so \int\int_S\vec{g}\hat{n}dS=0

Where do I wrong please help me.Thanks.

You seem to use
\frac{\partial}{\partial x} \frac{1}{r^3} = 0
and similarly for the derivatives with respect to y and z. That's not the case!
 
you pointed out in your derivation what r was equal to but did not use it when you were taking the partial I think.
 
arunma said:
Uh, I'm not sure I understand all of your equations there. By \vec{\nabla}\vec{g}, did you mean, \vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g}?

If so, then you should know that \vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} is not zero. The correct expression is,

\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} = -4\pi G\sum_{i=0}^n m_i \delta^3(\vec{r} - \vec{r_i})

Hope that helps!
Yes,\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} I mean. Thanks for your helps but I found that \vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g} is zero.Let's I show it,

\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g}=-GM(\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\frac{x}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}}+\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\frac{y}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}}+\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\frac{z}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}})

Now I calculate first partial derivative after generalize the other derivatives.

-GM\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\frac{x}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}}=-GM\frac{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}-3x^2(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/2}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^3}
Then
\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g}=-GM(\frac{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}-3x^2(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/2}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^3}+\frac{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}-3y^2(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/2}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^3}+\frac{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}-3z^2(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/2}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^3})

\vec{\nabla}\cdot\vec{g}=-GM(\frac{3(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{3/2}-3(x^2+y^2+z^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/2}}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^3})=0

Where did I make wrong?I wonder it.Thanks.
 
What happens when x = y = z = 0? :wink:
 
Physically speaking, the divergence of g should depend upon mass density. There is a monopole source of gravity...mass!

Also, as a suggestion...work in spherical coordinates.
 
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