Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus

In summary, the conversation discusses the gravitational binding energy of a toroidal planet and whether it can be accurately calculated using the same formula as a spherical planet. It is determined that a torus cannot form or be maintained through gravitational binding alone and requires a strong internal structure. Therefore, the concept of gravitational binding energy does not apply to non-spherical shapes.
  • #1
Tom MS
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I was looking at the wikipedia page for the gravitational binding energy of a sphere, but let's say that there was a toroidal planet. What would its gravitational binding energy be?
I have attempted the solution similar to what they did on wikipedia and obtained:
[tex]U = -4 G \pi^5 R^2 r^4 \rho^2 [/tex]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fPHuQ6I0NONuFyo7tz0OBkPVGWVW6kVChq_TjWU05B-jQRFqvMmnVLfPN7Q9OMCPe3qTMw=s95
R and r are shown in the diagram to be the total radius of the torus and the radius of the tube of the torus respectively.

I believe with a substitution for [itex]\rho[/itex] as density, this simplifies to:
[tex]U = -G M^2 \pi[/tex]

But this seems to simple. Any ideas?
 
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  • #2
A torus can't form or be maintained via gravitational binding. If that were the only "force" (spacetime curvature, to be pedantic) it would have to collapse into a sphere. Even if it were rotating very fast, you wouldn't get a toroidal planet - instead, an oblate spheroid, i.e. disk.

Strong internal structure of some sort would be required to hold such a shape. Check out Larry Niven's science fiction "Ringworld" for a good example. In such case the tension would produce negative gravity (according to GR); in an extreme case it would actually repel instead of attracting! In a more normal case you could have a small amount of matter, like an asteroid, in any shape imaginable - even a statue of Elvis. But such a small object is maintained by electromagnetic (chemical) binding; gravity would be negligible.

Bottom line, it can't be analyzed as simply gravitational binding energy. By the way the same would be true for any non-sphere shape: cylinder, sheet, etc.
 
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1. What is the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus?

The Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus is the amount of energy required to completely disassemble a torus (a doughnut-shaped object) into its individual particles and move them infinitely far apart from each other.

2. How is the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus calculated?

The Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus is calculated using the formula E = (3GM^2)/5R, where E is the energy, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the torus, and R is the radius of the torus.

3. What factors affect the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus?

The Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus is affected by the mass and size of the torus. The larger and more massive the torus, the higher its Gravitational Binding Energy will be.

4. What is the significance of the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus?

The Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus is important in understanding the stability and structure of objects in space, such as planets, stars, and galaxies. It also plays a role in the formation and evolution of these objects.

5. Can the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus be negative?

No, the Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus cannot be negative. It is always a positive value, as it represents the minimum amount of energy required to overcome the gravitational force holding the particles of the torus together.

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