SSC/Virial/Polytropes

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Virial Equilibrium of Adiabatic Spheres

Highlights of the rather detailed discussion presented below have been summarized in an accompanying chapter of this H_Book.

Review

Adopted Normalizations

In an introductory discussion of the virial equilibrium structure of spherically symmetric configurations, we adopted the following physical parameter normalizations for adiabatic systems.

Adopted Normalizations for Adiabatic Systems

Rnorm

[(GK)Mtot2γg]1/(43γg)

Pnorm

[K4G3γgMtot2γg]1/(43γg)


Enorm

PnormRnorm3=[KG3(1γg)Mtot65γg]1/(43γg)

ρnorm

3Mtot4πRnorm3=34π[K3G3Mtot2]1/(43γg)

cnorm2

Pnormρnorm=4π3[K(G3Mtot2)γg1]1/(43γg)

Virial Equilibrium

Also in our introductory discussion — see especially the section titled, Energy Extrema — we deduced that an adiabatic system's dimensionless equilibrium radius,

χeqReqRnorm,

is given by the root(s) of the following equation:

2Cχeq2+3Bχeq33γg3Aχeq13Dχeq3=0,

where the definitions of the various coefficients are,

A

15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W,

B

4π3[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]eqγ𝔣A

 

=

4π3[(PcPnorm)χ3γ]eq𝔣A,

C

3524π[J2cnorm2G2Mtot4]𝔣T𝔣M,

D

(4π3)PePnorm.

(The dimensionless structural form factors, 𝔣i, that appear in these expressions are defined for isolated polytropes in our accompanying introductory discussion and are discussed further, below.) Once the pressure exerted by the external medium (Pe), and the configuration's mass (Mtot), angular momentum (J), and specific entropy (via K) have been specified, the values of all of the coefficients are known and χeq can be determined.

Isolated Nonrotating Adiabatic Configuration

For a nonrotating configuration (C=J=0) that is not influenced by the effects of a bounding external medium (D=Pe=0), the statement of virial equilibrium is,

3Bχeq33γg3Aχeq1=0.

Hence, one equilibrium state exists for each value of γg and it occurs where,

χeq43γg=(ReqRnorm)43γg

=

AB.

Two Points of View

In terms of K and Mlimit(=Mtot)

In terms of Pc and Mlimit(=Mtot)

χeq43γg

=

{15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W}

 

 

×{34π[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]eqγg1𝔣A}

Req43γg

=

4π35[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]eq2γg𝔣W𝔣A[GMtot2γgK]

KReq43γgGMlimit2γg

=

15(4π3)γg1𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2γg

— — — — — —     or, inverted and setting γg=1+1/n     — — — — — —

4π(GK)nMlimitn1Req3n=(5𝔣A𝔣M𝔣W)n3𝔣M

χeq43γg

=

{15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W}

 

 

×{34π[(PnormPc)χ3γ]eq1𝔣A}

χeq4

=

320π(MlimitMtot)2(PnormPc)𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2

PcReq4PnormRnorm4(MtotMlimit)2

=

320π𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2

PcReq4GMlimit2

=

320π𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2

According to the solution shown in the left-hand column, for fluid with a given specify entropy content, the equilibrium mass-radius relationship for adiabatic configurations is,

Mtot(γg2)Req(3γg4).

We see that, for γg=2, the equilibrium radius depends only on the specific entropy of the gas and is independent of the configuration's mass. Conversely, for γg=4/3, the mass of the configuration is independent of the radius. For γg>2 or γg<4/3, configurations with larger mass (but the same specific entropy) have larger equilibrium radii. However, for γg in the range, 2>γg>4/3, configurations with larger mass have smaller equilibrium radii. (Note that the related result for isothermal configurations can be obtained by setting γg=1 in this adiabatic solution, because K=cs2 when γg=1.)

Role of Structural Form Factors

When employing a virial analysis to determine the radius of an equilibrium configuration, it is customary to set the structural form factors, 𝔣M, 𝔣W and 𝔣A, to unity and accept that the expression derived for Req is an estimate of the configuration's radius that is good to within a factor of order unity. As has been demonstrated in our related discussion of the equilibrium of uniform-density spheres, these form factors can be evaluated if/when the internal structural profile of an equilibrium configuration is known from a complementary detailed force-balance analysis. In the case being discussed here of isolated, spherical polytropes, solutions to the,

Lane-Emden Equation

1ξ2ddξ(ξ2dΘHdξ)=ΘHn

can provide the desired internal structural information. Here we draw on Chandrasekhar's [C67] discussion of the structure of spherical polytropes to show precisely how our structural form factors can be expressed in terms of the Lane-Emden function, ΘH, dimensionless radial coordinate, ξ, and the function derivative, Θ'=dΘH/dξ.

Mass

We note, first, that Chandrasekhar [C67] — see his Equation (78) on p. 99 — presents the following expression for the mean-to-central density ratio:

ρ¯ρc

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ1,

where the notation at the bottom of the closing square bracket means that everything inside the square brackets should be, "evaluated at the surface of the configuration," that is, at the radial location, ξ1, where the Lane-Emden function, ΘH(ξ), first goes to zero. But, as we pointed out when defining the structural form factors, the form factor associated with the configuration mass, 𝔣M, is equivalent to the mean-to-central density ratio. We conclude, therefore, that,

𝔣M

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ1.


Gravitational Potential Energy

Second, we note that Chandrasekhar's [C67] expression for the gravitational potential energy — see his Equation (90), p. 101 — is,

W

=

35n(GM2R),

whereas our analogous expression is,

Wgrav

=

35(GMtot2Req)𝔣W𝔣M2.

We conclude, therefore, that,

𝔣W𝔣M2

=

55n

𝔣W

=

3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ12.

Mass-Radius Relationship

Third, Chandrasekhar [C67] shows — see his Equation (72), p. 98 — that the general mass-radius relationship for isolated spherical polytropes is,

GM(n1)/nR(3n)/n

=

(n+1)K(4π)1/n[ξ(n+1)/(n1)dΘHdξ]ξ=ξ1(n1)/n,

which we choose to rewrite as,

4π(GK)nM(n1)R(3n)

=

(n+1)n[ξ(n+1)(Θ')(n1)]ξ=ξ1

 

=

(ξΘ')ξ=ξ1[(n+1)ξ(Θ')]ξ=ξ1n.

By comparison, the expression for the equilibrium radius that has been derived, above, from an analysis of extrema in the free energy function — specifically, see the last expression in the left-hand column of the table titled "Two Points of View" — we obtain,

4π(GK)nM(n1)Req(3n)

=

3𝔣M(5𝔣A𝔣M𝔣W)n.

Hence, it appears as though, quite generally,

1𝔣M(5𝔣A𝔣M𝔣W)n

=

(ξ3Θ')ξ=ξ1[(n+1)ξ(Θ')]ξ=ξ1n.

Or, taking into account the expressions for 𝔣M and 𝔣W that have just been uncovered, we conclude that,

5𝔣A𝔣M𝔣W

=

[(n+1)ξ(Θ')]ξ=ξ1

𝔣A𝔣W

=

(n+1)35ξ12.

𝔣A

=

(n+1)35ξ12{3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ12}.

 

=

3(n+1)(5n)[Θ']ξ12.

Central Pressure

It is also worth pointing out that Chandrasekhar [C67] — see his Equations (80) & (81), p. 99 — introduces a dimensionless structural form factor, Wn, for the central pressure via the expression,

Pc

=

Wn(GM2R4),

and demonstrates that,

1Wn

4π(n+1)[Θ']ξ12.

It is therefore clear that a spherical polytrope's central pressure is expressible in terms of our structural form factor, 𝔣A, as,

Pc

=

34π(5n)(GMtot2Req4)1𝔣A.


Alternate Derivation of Gravitational Potential Energy

As has been discussed elsewhere, we have learned from Chandrasekhar's discussion of polytropic spheres [C67] — see his Equation (16), p. 64 — that if a spherically symmetric system is in hydrostatic balance, the total gravitational potential energy can be obtained from the following integral:

Wgrav

=

+120RΦ(r)dm.

Using "technique #3" to solve the differential equation that governs the statement of hydrostatic balance, we know that in any polytropic sphere, Φ(r) is related to the configuration's radial enthalpy profile, H(r), via the algebraic expression,

Φ(r)+H(r)

=

CB,

where, CB, is an integration constant. At the surface of the equilibrium configuration, H=0 and Φ=GMtot/Req, so the integration constant is,

CB

=

GMtotReq,

which implies,

Φ(r)

=

H(r)GMtotReq.

Now, from our general discussion of barotropic relations, we can write,

H(r)

=

(n+1)P(r)ρ(r).

Hence,

Φ(r)

=

(n+1)P(r)ρ(r)+GMtotReq,

and,

Wgrav

=

120R[(n+1)P(r)ρ(r)+GMtotReq]4πρ(r)r2dr

 

=

2π{(n+1)0RP(r)r2dr+GMtotReq0Rρ(r)r2dr}

 

=

2π{13(n+1)PcReq3013[P(x)Pc]x2dx+GMtot3Req(ρcReq3)013[ρ(x)ρc]x2dx}

 

=

2π{13(n+1)PcReq3𝔣A+GMtot3Req(ρcReq3)𝔣M}

 

=

GMtot2Req{2π3(n+1)[PcReq4GMtot2]𝔣A+12[4πρcReq33Mtot]𝔣M}

 

=

12GMtot2Req{4π3(n+1)[PcReq4GMtot2]𝔣A+1}.

We now recall two earlier expressions that show the role that our structural form factors play in the evaluation of Wgrav and Pc, namely,

Wgrav

=

35(GMtot2Req)𝔣W𝔣M2

and,

Pc

=

320π(GMtot2Req4)𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2.

Plugging these into our newly derived expression for the gravitational potential energy gives,

35𝔣W𝔣M2

=

12{4π3(n+1)[320π𝔣W𝔣A𝔣M2]𝔣A+1}

(23)𝔣W𝔣M2

=

(n+1)𝔣W𝔣M2+5

(5n)𝔣W𝔣M2

=

5

𝔣W𝔣M2

=

55n.

As it should, this agrees with the expression for the ratio, 𝔣W/𝔣M2, that was derived in our above discussion of the gravitational potential energy.

Summary

In summary, expressions for the three structural form factors associated with isolated, spherically symmetric polytropes are as follows:

Structural Form Factors for Isolated Polytropes

𝔣M

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ1

𝔣W

=

3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ12

𝔣A

=

3(n+1)(5n)[Θ']ξ12

Nonrotating Adiabatic Configuration Embedded in an External Medium

For a nonrotating configuration (C=J=0) that is embedded in, and is influenced by the pressure Pe of, an external medium, the statement of virial equilibrium is,

3Bχeq33γg3Aχeq13Dχeq3=0.


Solution Expressed in Terms of K and M (Whitworth's 1981 Relation)

This is precisely the same condition that derives from setting equation (3) to zero in the 📚 A. Whitworth (1981, MNRAS, Vol. 195, pp. 967 - 977) discussion of the Global Gravitational Stability for One-dimensional Polytropes. The overlap with Whitworth's narative is clearer after introducing the algebraic expressions for the coefficients A, B, and D, to obtain,

4π(PePnorm)χeq3

=

3(4π3)1γg(MlimitMtot)γg𝔣A𝔣Mγgχeq33γg35(MlimitMtot)2𝔣W𝔣M2χeq1;

dividing the equation through by (4πχeq3/Pnorm),

Pe

=

Pnorm[(34π)γg(MlimitMtot)γg𝔣A𝔣Mγgχeq3γg(320π)(MlimitMtot)2𝔣W𝔣M2χeq4]

 

=

PnormRnorm4[(34πReq3)γg(MlimitMtot)γg𝔣A𝔣MγgRnorm3γg4(320πReq4)(MlimitMtot)2𝔣W𝔣M2];

and inserting expressions for the parameter normalizations as defined in our accompanying introductory discussion to obtain,

Pe

=

GMtot2[(34πReq3)γg(MlimitMtot)γg𝔣A𝔣MγgKMtotγg2G(320πReq4)(MlimitMtot)2𝔣W𝔣M2]

 

=

K(3Mlimit4πReq3)γg𝔣A𝔣Mγg(3GMlimit220πReq4)𝔣W𝔣M2.

If the structural form factors are set equal to unity, this exactly matches equation (5) of 📚 Whitworth (1981), which reads:

Equation and accompanying sentence drawn directly from p. 970 of
A. Whitworth (1981)
Global Gravitational Stability for One-Dimensional Polytropes
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 195, pp. 967 - 977
© Royal Astronomical Society

The general equilibrium condition, (d𝒰/dR)R0=0, reduces to

R0Req,  

Pex=K(3M0/4πReq3)η3GM02/20πReq4

(5)

(subscript 'eq' for equilibrium).

Notice that, when Pe0, this expression reduces to the solution we obtained for an isolated polytrope, expressed in terms of K and Mlimit (see the left-hand column of our table titled "Two Points of View").

Solution Expressed in Terms of M and Central Pressure

Beginning again with the relevant statement of virial equilibrium, namely,

A=Bχeq43γgDχeq4,

but adopting the alternate expression for the coefficient, B, given above, that is,

B=4π3[(PcPnorm)χ3γ]eq𝔣A,

we can write,

15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W

=

4π3[(PcPnorm)χ3γ]eq𝔣Aχeq43γg(4π3)PePnormχeq4

320π[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W

=

[(PcPnorm)𝔣APePnorm]χeq4

 

=

[𝔣APcPe]Req4GMtot2

320π(GMlimit2Req4)𝔣W𝔣M2

=

𝔣APcPe.

Again notice that, when Pe0, this expression reduces to the solution we obtained for an isolated polytrope, but this time expressed in terms of Pc and Mlimit (see the right-hand column of our table titled "Two Points of View").

Contrast with Detailed Force-Balanced Solution

As has just been demonstrated, the virial theorem provides a mathematical expression that allows us to relate the equilibrium radius of a configuration to the applied external pressure, once the configuration's mass and either its specific entropy or central pressure are specified. In contrast to this, as has been discussed in detail in another chapter, 📚 Gp. Horedt (1970, MNRAS, Vol. 151, pp. 81 - 86), 📚 Whitworth (1981) and 📚 S. W. Stahler (1983, ApJ, Vol. 268, pp. 165 - 184) have each derived separate analytic expressions for Req and Pe — given in terms of the Lane-Emden function, Θ, and its radial derivative — without demonstrating how the equilibrium radius and external pressure directly relate to one another. That is to say, solution of the detailed force-balanced equations provides a pair of equilibrium expressions that are parametrically related to one another through the Lane-Emden function. For example — see our related discussion for more details📚 Horedt (1970) derives the following set of parametric equations relating the configuration's dimensionless radius, ra, to a specified dimensionless bounding pressure, pa:

raReqRHoredt

=

ξ~(ξ~2θ~)(1n)/(n3),

paPePHoredt

=

θ~nn+1(ξ~2θ~)2(n+1)/(n3),

where,

RHoredt

=

[4π(n+1)n(GK)nMlimitn1]1/(n3),

PHoredt

=

K4n/(n3)[(n+1)34πG3Mlimit2](n+1)/(n3).

It is important to appreciate that, in the expressions for ra and pa, the tilde indicates that the Lane-Emden function and its derivative are to be evaluated, not at the radial coordinate, ξ1, that is traditionally associated with the "first zero" of the Lane-Emden function and therefore with the surface of the isolated polytrope, but at the radial coordinate, ξ~, where the internal pressure of the isolated polytrope equals Pe and at which the embedded polytrope is to be truncated. The coordinate, ξ~, therefore identifies the surface of the embedded — or, pressure-truncated — polytrope. We also have taken the liberty of attaching the subscript "limit" to M in both defining relations because it is clear that 📚 Horedt (1970) intended for the normalization mass to be the mass of the pressure-truncated object, not the mass of the associated isolated (and untruncated) polytrope. In anticipation of further derivations, below, we note here the ratio of the 📚 Horedt (1970) normalization parameters to ours, assuming γ=(n+1)/n:

(RHoredtRnorm)n3

=

[4π(n+1)n(GK)nMlimitn1][(KG)nMtot1n]

 

=

4π(n+1)n(MlimitMtot)n1,

(PHoredtPnorm)n3

=

K4n[(n+1)34πG3Mlimit2]n+1[G3(n+1)Mtot2(n+1)K4n]

 

=

[(n+1)34π(MlimitMtot)2]n+1.

Next, we demonstrate that this pair of parametric relations satisfies the virial theorem and, in so doing, demonstrate how ra and pa may be directly related to each other. Given that the normalization radius and normalization pressure chosen by 📚 Horedt (1970) are defined in terms of K and Mlimit, we begin with the virial theorem derived above in terms of K and Mlimit, setting γg=(n+1)/n.

Pe

=

K(3Mlimit4πReq3)(n+1)/n𝔣A𝔣M(n+1)/n(3GMlimit220πReq4)𝔣W𝔣M2.

After setting Req=raRHoredt, a bit of algebraic manipulation shows that the first term on the right-hand side of the virial equilibrium expression becomes,

K(3Mlimit4πReq3)(n+1)/n𝔣A𝔣M(n+1)/n

=

ra3(n+1)/n𝔣A[(3𝔣M)n3(n+1)3n(4π)n](n+1)/[n(n3)][K4nG3(n+1)Mlimit2(n+1)]1/(n3),

while the second term on the right-hand side becomes,

(3GMlimit220πReq4)𝔣W𝔣M2

=

35𝔣W𝔣M2ra4(4π)(n+1)/(n3)(n+1)4n/(n3)[K4nG3(n+1)Mlimit2(n+1)]1/(n3).

But, using Horedt's expression for Pe, the left-hand side of the virial equilibrium equation becomes,

Pe=paPHoredt

=

pa(4π)(n+1)/(n3)(n+1)3(n+1)/(n3)[K4nG3(n+1)Mlimit2(n+1)]1/(n3).

Hence, the statement of virial equilibrium is,

pa

=

{ra3(n+1)/n𝔣A[(3𝔣M)n3(n+1)3n(4π)n](n+1)/[n(n3)]

 

 

35𝔣W𝔣M2ra4(4π)(n+1)/(n3)(n+1)4n/(n3)}(4π)(n+1)/(n3)(n+1)3(n+1)/(n3)

 

=

𝔣A(3𝔣Mra3)(n+1)/n3(n+1)5𝔣W𝔣M2ra4;

or, multiplying through by ra4 and rearranging terms,

𝔣A(3𝔣M)(n+1)/nra(n3)/npara4

=

3(n+1)5𝔣W𝔣M2.

Now, 📚 Horedt (1970) has given analytic expressions for ra and pa in terms of the Lane-Emden function and its first derivative. The question is, what should the expressions for our structural form factors be in order for this virial expression to hold true for all pressure-truncated polytropic structures? As has been summarized above, in the case of an isolated polytrope, whose surface is located at ξ1 and whose global properties are defined by evaluation of the Lane-Emden function at ξ1, we know that (see the above summary),

Structural Form Factors for Isolated Polytropes

𝔣M

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ1

𝔣W

=

3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ12

𝔣A

=

3(n+1)(5n)[Θ']ξ12

These same expressions may or may not work for pressure-truncated polytropes, even if the evaluation radius is shifted from ξ1 to ξ~. Let's see …

January 13, 2015: As is noted in our accompanying outline of work, I no longer believe that 𝔣W and 𝔣A have the same expressions as in isolated polytropes. Hence, all of the material that follows is suspect and needs to be reworked.


Material that appears after this point in our presentation is under development and therefore
may contain incorrect mathematical equations and/or physical misinterpretations.
|   Go Home   |


Inserting the expressions for ra and pa, as provided by 📚 Horedt (1970), into the virial equilibrium expression, we have,

3(n+1)5𝔣W𝔣M2

=

𝔣A(3𝔣M)(n+1)/n[ξ~(ξ~2θ~)(1n)/(n3)](n3)/nθ~nn+1(ξ~2θ~)2(n+1)/(n3)[ξ~(ξ~2θ~)(1n)/(n3)]4

 

=

𝔣A(3𝔣M)(n+1)/n[ξ~(ξ~2θ~)(1n)/(n3)](n3)/nθ~nn+1ξ~4[(ξ~2θ~)2(n+1)+4(1n)]1/(n3)

 

=

𝔣A(3𝔣M)(n+1)/n[ξ~(n3)(ξ~2θ~)(1n)]1/nθ~nn+1ξ~4[(ξ~2θ~)2]

 

=

𝔣A(3𝔣M)(n+1)/nξ~(n+1)/n(θ~)(1n)/nθ~nn+1(θ~)2.

If we assume that both of the structural form factors, 𝔣W and 𝔣M, have the same functional expressions as in the case of isolated polytropes (but evaluated at ξ~ instead of at ξ1), the virial relation further reduces to the form,

θ~nn+1(θ~)2

=

𝔣A(ξ~θ~)(n+1)/nξ~(n+1)/n(θ~)(1n)/n3(n+1)5n

 

=

𝔣A(θ~)23(n+1)5n

𝔣A

=

3(n+1)5n(θ~)2+θ~nn+1.

This all seems to make a great deal of sense. Only the structural parameter that is derived from an integral over the pressure distribution, 𝔣A, gets modified when the polytropic configuration is truncated. Notice, as well, that the term that has been added to the definition of 𝔣A naturally goes to zero in the limit of ξ~ξ1, that is, for an isolated polytrope. We should definitely go back to the original definitions of all three structural parameters and prove that this is the case. But, in the meantime, here is the summary:

WRONG!!  For the correct form-factor expressions, go here.

Structural Form Factors for Pressure-Truncated Polytropes

𝔣~M

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ~

𝔣~W

=

3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ~2

𝔣~A

=

3(n+1)(5n)[Θ']ξ~2+Θ~n+1

WRONG!!  For the correct form-factor expressions, go here.

Notice that, in an effort to differentiate them from their counterparts developed earlier for "isolated" polytropes, we have affixed a tilde to each of these three form-factors, 𝔣i.

Example

Outline

Let's identify an equilibrium configuration numerically, using the free-energy expression. From our introductory discussion, the relevant expression is,

𝔊*=3𝒜χ11(1γg)χ33γg+𝒟χ3,

where,

𝒜

15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W,

4π3[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]eqγ𝔣A

 

=

4π3[(PcPnorm)χ3γ]eq𝔣A,

𝒟

(4π3)PePnorm.

For later use, note that,

(𝒜)n

=

{320π[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M](n+1)/n𝔣A1}n

 

=

5n(34π)n[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2n[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M](n+1)(𝔣W𝔣A)n

 

=

15n(4π3)(MlimitMtot)n1𝔣Wn𝔣An𝔣M1n;

and,

4n𝒜3(n+1)

=

{15[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]2𝔣W}3(n+1){4π3[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M](n+1)/n𝔣A}4n

 

=

53(n+1)[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]6(n+1)(4π3)4n4(n+1)[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣M]4(n+1)𝔣A4n𝔣W3(n+1)

 

=

53(n+1)(34π)4(MlimitMtot)2(n+1)𝔣A4n𝔣M2(n+1)𝔣W3(n+1)

Now, we could just blindly start setting values of the three leading coefficients, 𝒜, , and 𝒟, then plot 𝔊*(χ) to look for extrema. But let's accept a little guidance from this chapter's virial analysis before choosing the coefficient values. For embedded polytropes, we know that the structural form factors are,

𝔣~M=ρ¯ρc

=

[3Θ'ξ]ξ~,

𝔣~W

=

3255n[Θ'ξ]ξ~2=(55n)𝔣~M2,

𝔣~A=P¯Pc

=

3(n+1)(5n)(Θ')ξ~2+Θ~n+1.

Hence, the coefficient expressions become,

𝒜

=

1(5n)(MlimitMtot)2,

=

4π3(P¯Pnorm)χeq3(n+1)/n,

𝒟

=

(4π3)PePnorm.

Strategy

Generic setup:

  • Choose the polytropic index, n, which also sets the value of the adiabatic index, γ=(n+1)/n.
  • Fix Mtot and K, so that the radial and pressure normalizations are fixed; specifically,

Rnormn3=(GK)nMtotn1

     and     

Pnorm(n3)=K4n(G3Mtot2)(n+1).

  • Fix Mlimit, and let it be the normalization mass; that is, set Mlimit=Mtot.
  • As a result of the above choices, the value of 𝒜 is set, and fixed; specifically,

A=1(5n).

Case I:

  • Fix 𝒟, which fixes the external pressure; specifically,

Pe=34π𝒟Pnorm.

  • Choose a variety of values of the remaining coefficient, ; then, for each value, plot 𝔊*(χ) and locate one or more extrema along with the value of χeq that is associated with each free energy extremum. This identifies the equilibrium value of the mean pressure inside the pressure-truncated polytrope via the expression,

P¯=(34π)Pnormχeq3(n+1)/n.

Req

=

anξe,        where,

an

[14πG(Hcρc)]1/2=[(n+1)K4πGρc(1n)/n]1/2

(anRnorm)2

=

[(n+1)K4πG]ρc(1n)/n1Rnorm2

 

=

[(n+1)K4πG](ρcρ¯)(1n)/n(3Mlimit4πReq3)(1n)/n1Rnorm2

 

=

[(n+1)K4πG](ρcρ¯)(1n)/n(3Mtot4π)(1n)/n(MlimitMtot)(1n)/nχeq3(n1)/nRnorm(n3)/n

 

=

(n+1)4π[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣~M](1n)/nχeq3(n1)/n.

Hence,

ξe2

=

(Reqan)2=χeq2(anRnorm)2

 

=

χeq2{4π(n+1)[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣~M](n1)/nχeq3(1n)/n}

 

=

4π(n+1)[34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣~M](n1)/nχeq(3n)/n.

But, from above, we also know that,

34π(MlimitMtot)1𝔣~M

=

[34π1𝔣~A]n/(n+1),

where,

𝔣~A=P¯Pc

=

3(n+1)(5n)(Θ')ξ~2+Θ~n+1,

Hence we can write,

ξe2

=

4π(n+1)[34π1𝔣~A](n1)/(n+1)χeq(3n)/n,

or,

ξe2[3(n+1)(5n)(Θ')ξ~2+Θ~n+1](n1)/(n+1)

=

4π(n+1)[34π](n1)/(n+1)χeq(3n)/n.

This last expression may be useful because the numerical value of the right-hand-side will be known once an extremum of a free-energy plot has been identified, while the function on the left-hand side can be evaluated separately, from knowledge of the internal structure of detailed force-balanced, isolated polytropes.

Strategy2
  • Pick the desired polytropic index, n, and a radial coordinate within the isolated polytropic model, ξ~ξ1, that will serve as the truncated edge of the embedded polytrope.
  • Knowledge of the isolated polytrope's internal structure will give the value of the Lane-Emden function, θ~, and its radial derivative, θ~, at this truncated edge of the structure.
  • According to 📚 Horedt (1970) — see our accompanying discussion of detailed force-balanced models — the physical radius and external pressure that corresponds to this choice of the truncated edge is given by the expressions,

ReqRnorm=ra(RHoredtRnorm)

=

ξ~(ξ~2θ~)(1n)/(n3)[4π(n+1)n(MlimitMtot)n1]1/(n3),

PePnorm=pa(PHoredtPnorm)

=

θ~nn+1(ξ~2θ~)2(n+1)/(n3)[(n+1)34π(MlimitMtot)2](n+1)/(n3).

  • Using the chosen value of ξ~ and its associated function values, θ~ and θ~', determine the values of the three relevant structural form factors via the following analytic relations:

𝔣~M=ρ¯ρc

=

[3θ~'ξ~],

𝔣~W

=

3255n[θ~'ξ~]2=(55n)𝔣~M2,

𝔣~A=P¯Pc

=

3(n+1)(5n)(θ~')2+θ~n+1.

  • Using these values of the structural form factors, determine the values of the three free-energy coefficients (set Mlimi/Mtot=1 for the time being) via the expressions:

𝒜mod(5n)𝒜

=

(5n)5(MlimitMtot)2𝔣~W𝔣~M2=(MlimitMtot)2,

mod(5n)

=

(34π)1/n[(MlimitMtot)1𝔣~M]eq(n+1)/n[(5n)𝔣~A]

 

=

4π3(PcPnorm)χeq3(n+1)/n[(5n)𝔣~A]

𝒟mod(5n)𝒟

=

(4π3)(5n)PePnorm.

  • Plot the following free-energy function and see if the value of χ associated with the extremum is equal to the dimensionless equilibrium radius, Req/Rnorm, as predicted by the 📚 Horedt (1970) expression, above:

(5n)𝔊*

=

3𝒜modχ11(1γg)modχ33γg+𝒟modχ3

 

=

3𝒜modχ1+nmodχ3/n+𝒟modχ3.

  • Virial equilbrium — that is, an extremum in the free energy function — occurs when 𝔊*/χ=0, that is, where,

modχeq(n3)/n𝒟modχeq4

=

𝒜mod.

Note that if the coefficient, , is written in terms of the normalized central pressure, the statement of virial equilibrium becomes,

𝒜mod

=

[4π3(PcPnorm)χeq3(n+1)/n[(5n)𝔣~A]]χeq(n3)/n4π3(5n)(PePnorm)χeq4

 

=

4π3χeq4{(PcPnorm)(5n)𝔣~A(5n)(PePnorm)}

 

=

4π3χeq4{(PcPnorm)[3(n+1)(θ~')2+(5n)θ~n+1](5n)(PePnorm)}.

But, in this situation, θ~n+1=Pe/Pc, so virial equilibrium implies,

34πχeq4𝒜mod

=

(PcPnorm)[3(n+1)(θ~')2+(5n)PePc](5n)(PePnorm)

 

=

3(n+1)(θ~')2(PcPnorm)

PcPnorm(ReqRnorm)4(MlimitMtot)2

=

[4π(n+1)(θ~')2]1

PcReq4GMlimit2

=

14π(n+1)(θ~')2.

Compare With Detailed Force Balanced Solution

In a separate discussion, we presented the detailed force-balanced model of an n=1 polytrope that is embedded in an external medium. We showed that, for an applied external pressure given by,

PePnorm=π2[sinξeξe(sinξeξecosξe)]2,

the associated equilibrium radius of the pressure-confined configuration is,

Req=ξean=1=[K2πG]1/2ξe.

Flipping this around, after we use a plot of the free-energy expression to identify the equilibrium radius, χeq, the corresponding dimensionless radius as used in the Lane-Emden equation should be,

ξe

=

[2πGK]1/2Rnormχeq

 

=

(2π)1/2χeq.

Keep in mind that, for an isolated n=1 polytrope, the (zero pressure) surface is identified by ξ1=π. Hence we should expect free-energy extrema to occur at values of χeqπ/2.

Renormalization

Grunt Work

Returning to the dimensionless form of the virial expression and multiplying through by [χeq/(3D)], we obtain,

χeq4=BDχeq43γgAD,

or, after plugging in definitions of the coefficients, A, B, and D, and rewriting χeq explicitly as Req/Rnorm,

(ReqRnorm)4

=

(34π)γg(MlimitMtot)γg(PePnorm)1𝔣~A𝔣~Mγg(ReqRnorm)43γg320π(MlimitMtot)2(PePnorm)1𝔣~W𝔣~M2.

This relation can be written in a more physically concise form, as follows. First, normalize Pe to a new pressure scale — call it Pad — and multiply through by (Rnorm/Rad)4 in order to normalizing Req to a new length scale,Rad:

(ReqRad)4

=

(34π)γg(MlimitMtot)γg(PnormPad)(PePad)1𝔣~A𝔣~Mγg(RnormRad)3γg(ReqRad)43γg

 

 

320π(MlimitMtot)2(PnormPad)𝔣~W𝔣~M2(PePad)1(RnormRad)4,

or,

χad4

=

(34π)γg(MlimitMtot)γg(PnormPad)(RnormRad)3γg𝔣~A𝔣~Mγgχad43γgΠad320π(MlimitMtot)2(PnormPad)(RnormRad)4𝔣~W𝔣~M21Πad,

where,

χad

ReqRad,

Πad

PePad.

By demanding that the leading coefficients of both terms on the right-hand-side of the expression are simultaneously unity — that is, by demanding that,

(34π)γg(MlimitMtot)γg(PnormPad)(RnormRad)3γg𝔣~A𝔣~Mγg

=

1,

and,

320π(MlimitMtot)2(PnormPad)(RnormRad)4𝔣~W𝔣~M2

=

1,

we obtain the expressions for Rad/Rnorm and Pad/Pnorm as shown in the following table.

Renormalization for Adiabatic (ad) Systems

RadRnorm

[15(4π3)γg1(MlimitMtot)2γg𝔣~W𝔣~A𝔣~M2γg]1/(43γg)

 

=

[15n(4π3)(MlimitMtot)n1𝔣~Wn𝔣~An𝔣~Mn1]1/(n3)

PadPnorm

[𝔣~A4(3534π𝔣~M2𝔣~W3)γg(MlimitMtot)2γg]1/(43γ)

 

=

[𝔣~A4n(3534π)n+1(𝔣~M2𝔣~w3)n+1(MlimitMtot)2(n+1)]1/(n3)

Using these new normalizations, we arrive at the desired, concise virial equilibrium relation, namely,

Πad

=

χad3γgχad4,

or,

χad43γgΠadχad4

=

1.


For the sake of completeness, we should develop expressions for both χad and Πad that are entirely in terms of the Lane-Emden function, θ~, its derivative, θ~, and the associated dimensionless radial coordinate, ξ~, at which the function and its derivative are to be evaluated. (Adopting a unified notation, we will set γg(n+1)/n.)

χadReqRad

=

ReqRHoredtRHoredtRnormRnormRad

 

=

ra[4π(n+1)n(MlimitMtot)n1]1/(n3)[5n(34π)(MlimitMtot)1n𝔣~An𝔣~Wn𝔣~M1n]1/(n3)

χadn3

=

3ran3[5(n+1)𝔣~A𝔣~W]n𝔣~Mn1.

Inserting the functional expressions for ra from 📚 Horedt (1970), and our structural form factors, 𝔣~i, gives,

χadn3

=

3𝔣~An[ξ~n3(ξ~2θ~)1n][5(n+1)(5n)532(ξ~θ~)2]n[3θ~ξ~]n1

 

=

[(5n)3(n+1)𝔣~A(θ~)2]n

χad(n3)/n

=

(5n)3(n+1)(θ~)2[3(n+1)(5n)(θ~)2+θn+1]

 

=

1+(5n)3(n+1)θ~n+1(θ~)2.

And,

ΠadPePad

=

PePHoredtPHoredtPnormPnormPad

 

=

pa[(n+1)34π(MlimitM