Classical Mechanics (Kibble & Berkshire) · Problem 9.4

The linear momentum principle — T.W.B. Kibble, F.H. Berkshire

Physics — Mechanics · potential-energy-and-stability

Problem

The internal gravitational potential energy of a system of masses is sometimes called the self energy of the system. (The reference configuration is taken to be one in which the particles are all a great distance from each other.) Show that the self energy of a uniform sphere of mass MM and radius RR is −3M2G/5R-3M^2G/5R. [Imagine that the sphere is built up by the addition of successive thin layers of matter brought in from infinity.]

Related theory

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