Virial theorem
The virial theorem states that the average kinetic energy of the objects in a stable, bounded, self-gravitating assembly is equal to -1/2 times the average gravitational potential energy.
The virial theorem is a remarkably useful simplifying result for otherwise very complex physical systems such as solar systems or galaxies, and is also applicable to a number of other similar scenarios.
The virial theorem takes its name from the quantity known as the virial (Latin for "force"), defined as:
The virial theorem can be derived by considering the properties of the virial in the limit over a long period of time.
