Relativistic Virial Theorem, Limiting Compactness, and the end state of gravitational collapse
Abstract
It is noteworthy that limiting compactness of a static bounded configuration is characterized by a general principle: \textit{one, by equipartition of mass between inside and outside, and the other by vanishing of energy inside.} The former implies gravitational energy being half of mass leading to limiting compactness of Buchdahl star while for the latter, the two are equal giving of black hole with horizon. \emph{This is the relativistic Virial theorem respectively for massive and massless particles.} It is remarkable that it prescribes that there can exist only two equilibrium states which also define limiting compactness of the object. Consequently, it leads to a profound prediction that the ultimate endproduct of gravitational collapse could only be one of the two, Buchdahl star or black hole.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2504.00064,
title = {Relativistic Virial Theorem, Limiting Compactness, and the end state of gravitational collapse},
author = {Naresh Dadhich},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.00064},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
13 pages, latex double space, Essay written for GRF2025. Received Honorable Mention in GRF 2025