User:Tohline/SSC/Structure/PolytropesEmbedded

Embedded Polytropic Spheres

In a separate discussion we showed how to determine the structure of isolated polytropic spheres. These are rather idealized stellar structures in which the pressure and density both drop to zero at the surface of the star. Here we consider how the equilibrium radius of a polytropic configuration of a given <math>M</math> and <math>~K_\mathrm{n}</math> is modified when it is embedded in an external medium of pressure <math>P_e</math>. We will begin by focusing on polytropes of index <math>~n</math> = 1 and <math>~n</math> = 5 because their structures can be described by analytic mathematical expressions.

<math>~n</math> = 1 Polytrope

Drawing from the earlier discussion of isolated polytropes, we will reference various radial locations within the spherical configuration by the dimensionless radius,

<math> \xi \equiv \frac{r}{a_\mathrm{n=1}} , </math>

where,

<math> a_\mathrm{n=1} \equiv \biggl[\frac{1}{4\pi G}~ \biggl( \frac{H_c}{\rho_c} \biggr)_{n=1}\biggr]^{1/2} = \biggl[\frac{K}{2\pi G} \biggr]^{1/2} \, . </math>

Review

Again, from the earlier discussion, we can describe the properties of an isolated, spherical <math>~n</math> = 1 polytrope as follows:

• Mass:

In terms of the central density, <math>\rho_c</math>, and <math>~K_\mathrm{n}</math>, the total mass is,

<math>M = \frac{4}{\pi} \rho_c (\pi a_{n=1})^3 = 4\pi^2 \rho_c \biggl[\frac{K}{2\pi G} \biggr]^{3/2} = \rho_c \biggl[\frac{2\pi K^3}{G^3} \biggr]^{1/2}</math> ;

and, expressed as a function of <math>M</math>, the mass that lies interior to the dimensionless radius <math>\xi</math> is,

<math>\frac{M_\xi}{M} = \frac{1}{\pi} \biggl[ \sin\xi - \xi\cos\xi \biggr] \, ,~~~~~~\mathrm{for}~\pi \ge \xi \ge 0 \, .</math>

Hence,

<math>M_\xi = \rho_c \biggl[\frac{2K^3}{\pi G^3} \biggr]^{1/2} \biggl[ \sin\xi - \xi\cos\xi \biggr] \, .</math>

• Pressure:

The central pressure of the configuration is,

<math>P_c = \biggl[ \frac{G^3}{2\pi} \rho_c^4 M^2 \biggr]^{1/3} = \biggl[ \frac{G^3}{2\pi} \rho_c^6 \biggl(\frac{2\pi K^3}{G^3} \biggr) \biggr]^{1/3} = K\rho_c^2</math> ;

and, expressed in terms of the central pressure <math>P_c</math>, the variation with radius of the pressure is,

<math>P_\xi= P_c \biggl[ \frac{\sin\xi}{\xi} \biggr]^2</math> .

Hence,

<math>P_\xi= K\rho_c^2 \biggl[ \frac{\sin\xi}{\xi} \biggr]^2</math> .

Extension to Bounded Sphere

Eliminating <math>\rho_c</math> between the last expression for <math>M_\xi</math> and the last expression for <math>P_\xi</math> gives,

<math>P_\xi= \biggl[\frac{\pi}{2} \cdot \frac{G^3 M_\xi^2}{K^2} \biggr] \biggl[ \frac{\sin\xi}{\xi(\sin\xi - \xi \cos\xi )} \biggr]^2</math> .

Now, if we rip off an outer layer of the star down to some dimensionless radius <math>\xi_e < \pi</math>, the interior of the configuration that remains — containing mass <math>M_{\xi_e}</math> — should remain in equilibrium if we impose the appropriate amount of externally applied pressure <math>P_e = P_{\xi_e} </math> at that radius. (This will work only for spherically symmetric configurations, as the gravitation acceleration at any location only depends on the mass contained inside that radius.) If we rescale our solution such that the mass enclosed within <math>\xi_e</math> is the original total mass <math>M</math>, then the pressure that must be imposed by the external medium in which the configuration is embedded is,

<math>P_e= \biggl[\frac{\pi}{2} \cdot \frac{G^3 M^2}{K^2} \biggr] \biggl[ \frac{\sin\xi_e}{\xi_e(\sin\xi_e - \xi_e \cos\xi_e )} \biggr]^2</math> .

The associated equilibrium radius of this pressure-confined configuration is,

<math> R_\mathrm{eq} = \xi_e a_\mathrm{n=1} = \biggl[ \frac{K}{2\pi G} \biggr]^{1/2} \xi_e </math>

The solid red curve in the top portion of Figure 1 shows how <math>R_\mathrm{eq}</math> varies with the applied external pressure <math>P_e</math>. Following the lead of Whitworth (1981, MNRAS, 195, 967) — for clarification, read the accompanying ASIDE — these two quantities have been respectively normalized (or, "referenced") to,

<math> R_\mathrm{rf}\biggr|_\mathrm{n=1} \equiv \biggl( \frac{3^2 \cdot 5}{2^4 \pi} \biggr)^{1/2} \biggl(\frac{K}{G}\biggr)^{1/2} ~~~\Rightarrow ~~~ \frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{rf}} = \biggl( \frac{2^3}{3^2 \cdot 5} \biggr)^{1/2} \xi_e \, ; </math>

and,

<math> P_\mathrm{rf}\biggr|_\mathrm{n=1} \equiv \frac{2^6 \pi}{3^4 \cdot 5^3} \biggl(\frac{G^3 M^2}{K^2}\biggr) ~~~\Rightarrow ~~~ \frac{P_e}{P_\mathrm{rf}} = \biggl( \frac{3^4 \cdot 5^3}{2^7} \biggr) \biggl[ \frac{\sin\xi_e}{\xi_e(\sin\xi_e - \xi_e \cos\xi_e )} \biggr]^2 \, . </math>

Figure 1: Equilibrium R-P Diagram
Top: The solid red curve shows how the equilibrium radius <math>(R_\mathrm{eq})</math> of an <math>~n</math> = 1 <math>(\gamma_g = 2)</math> polytrope varies with applied external pressure, <math>P_e</math>; similarly, the purple curve shows the <math>R_\mathrm{eq}(P_e)</math> behavior for an <math>~n</math> = 5 <math>(\gamma_g=6/5)</math> polytrope. Logarithmic units are used along both axes; <math>P_e</math> is normalized to <math>P_\mathrm{rf}</math> and <math>R_\mathrm{eq}</math> is normalized to <math>R_\mathrm{rf}</math>, as defined in the text and in the accompanying ASIDE. Bottom: A reproduction of Figure 1b from Whitworth (1981, MNRAS, 195, 967). The various curves identify the equilibrium radii, <math>R_\mathrm{eq}</math>, that result from embedding polytropic structures with various effective adiabatic indexes <math>(\gamma_g = 1/3,~ 2/3,~ 1,~ 4/3,~ 5/3)</math> in an external medium of pressure <math>P_\mathrm{ex}</math>. Comparison: The monotonic <math>P-R</math> behavior of the analytically derived solution for <math>~n</math> = 1 <math>(\gamma_g = 2)</math>, shown above, is consistent with the behavior of the numerically derived solutions presented by Whitworth for slightly lower values of <math>\gamma_g</math> = 5/3 and 4/3. The analytically derived solution for <math>~n</math> = 5 <math>(\gamma_g = 6/5)</math> shows that, above some limiting pressure, no equilibrium configuration exists; this is consistent with the behavior of the numerically derived solutions presented by Whitworth for all values of <math>\gamma_g < 4/3 \, .</math>

<math>~n</math> = 5 Polytrope

Drawing from the earlier discussion of isolated polytropes, we will reference various radial locations within a spherical <math>~n</math> = 5 polytrope by the dimensionless radius,

<math> \xi \equiv \frac{r}{a_\mathrm{n=5}} , </math>

where,

<math> a_{n=5} = \biggr[ \frac{(n+1)K}{4\pi G} \rho_c^{(1/n - 1)} \biggr]^{1/2}_{n=5} = \biggr[ \frac{3K}{2\pi G} \biggr]^{1/2} \rho_c^{-2/5} \, . </math>

Review

Again, from the earlier discussion, we can describe the properties of an isolated, spherical <math>~n</math> = 5 polytrope as follows:

• Mass:

In terms of the central density, <math>\rho_c</math>, and <math>~K_\mathrm{n}</math>, the total mass is,

<math>M = \biggr[ \frac{2\cdot 3^4 K^3}{\pi G^3} \biggr]^{1/2} \rho_c^{-1/5} </math> ;

and, expressed as a function of <math>M</math>, the mass that lies interior to the dimensionless radius <math>\xi</math> is,

<math> \frac{M_\xi}{M} = \xi^3 (3 + \xi^2)^{-3/2} \, . </math>

Hence,

<math> M_\xi = \biggr[ \frac{2\cdot 3^4 K^3}{\pi G^3} \biggr]^{1/2} \rho_c^{-1/5} \biggl[ \xi^3 (3 + \xi^2)^{-3/2} \biggr] \, . </math>

• Pressure:

The central pressure of the configuration is,

<math> P_c = \biggr[ \frac{\pi M^2 G^3}{2\cdot 3^4} \biggr]^{1/3} \rho_c^{4/3} = \biggr[ \frac{\pi G^3}{2\cdot 3^4} \biggr( \frac{2\cdot 3^4 K^3}{\pi G^3} \biggr) \rho_c^{-2/5}\biggr]^{1/3} \rho_c^{4/3} = K\rho_c^{6/5} </math> ;

and, expressed in terms of the central pressure <math>P_c</math>, the variation with radius of the pressure is,

<math>P_\xi= P_c \biggl[ 1 + \frac{1}{3}\xi^2 \biggr]^{-3}</math> .

Hence,

<math> P_\xi = K \rho_c^{6/5} \biggl[ 1 + \frac{1}{3}\xi^2 \biggr]^{-3} = 3^3K \rho_c^{6/5} [ 3 + \xi^2 ]^{-3} </math> .

Extension to Bounded Sphere

Eliminating <math>\rho_c</math> between the last expression for <math>M_\xi</math> and the last expression for <math>P_\xi</math> gives,

<math>P_\xi</math>	<math>=</math>	<math> 3^3K [ 3 + \xi^2 ]^{-3} \biggr[ \frac{2\cdot 3^4 K^3}{\pi G^3} \biggr]^{3} M_\xi^{-6} \biggl[ \xi^3 (3 + \xi^2)^{-3/2} \biggr]^6 </math>
	<math>=</math>	<math> \biggl( \frac{2^3\cdot 3^{15} K^{10}}{\pi^3 M_\xi^{6} G^9} \biggr) \frac{\xi^{18}}{(3 + \xi^2)^{12}} \, . </math>

Now, if we rip off an outer layer of the star down to some dimensionless radius <math>\xi_e < \infty</math>, the interior of the configuration that remains — containing mass <math>M_{\xi_e}</math> — should remain in equilibrium if we impose the appropriate amount of externally applied pressure <math>P_e = P_{\xi_e} </math> at that radius. (This will work only for spherically symmetric configurations, as the gravitation acceleration at any location only depends on the mass contained inside that radius.) If we rescale our solution such that the mass enclosed within <math>\xi_e</math> is the original total mass <math>M</math>, then the pressure that must be imposed by the external medium in which the configuration is embedded is,

<math>P_e= \biggr( \frac{2^3\cdot 3^{15} K^{10}}{\pi^3 M^{6} G^9} \biggr) \frac{\xi_e^{18}}{(3 + \xi_e^2)^{12}} </math> .

The associated equilibrium radius of this pressure-confined configuration is,

<math> R_\mathrm{eq} = \xi_e a_\mathrm{n=5} = \biggl[ \frac{3K}{2\pi G} \biggr]^{1/2} \rho_c^{-2/5} \xi_e = \biggl[ \frac{\pi M^4 G^5}{2^3 \cdot 3^7 K^5} \biggr]^{1/2} \frac{(3+\xi_e^2)^3}{\xi_e^5} \, . </math>

The purple curve in the top portion of Figure 1 shows how <math>R_\mathrm{eq}</math> varies with the applied external pressure <math>P_e</math>. Following the lead of Whitworth (1981, MNRAS, 195, 967) — for clarification, read the accompanying ASIDE — these two quantities have been respectively normalized (or, "referenced") to,

<math> R_\mathrm{rf}\biggr|_\mathrm{n=5} \equiv \frac{2^6}{3^3} \biggl( \frac{\pi}{5^5} \biggr)^{1/2} \biggl[ \frac{G^5 M^4}{K^5} \biggr]^{1/2} ~~~\Rightarrow ~~~ \frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{rf}} = \biggl( \frac{5^5}{2^{15}\cdot 3} \biggr)^{1/2} \frac{(3+\xi_e^2)^3}{\xi_e^5} \, ; </math>

and,

<math> P_\mathrm{rf}\biggr|_\mathrm{n=5} \equiv \frac{3^{12} 5^9}{2^{26} \pi^3} \biggl( \frac{K^{10}}{G^9 M^6} \biggr) ~~~\Rightarrow ~~~ \frac{P_e}{P_\mathrm{rf}} = \biggl( \frac{2^{29}\cdot 3^{3} }{5^9} \biggr) \frac{\xi_e^{18}}{(3 + \xi_e^2)^{12}} \, . </math>

We see that this (purple) curve bends back on itself. That is to say, for this polytropic index there is an externally applied pressure above which no equilibrium configuration exists. This limiting pressure arises along the curve where,

<math>\frac{dP_e}{dR_\mathrm{eq}} = \biggl( \frac{dP_e}{d\xi_e} \biggr) \biggl( \frac{dR_\mathrm{eq}}{d\xi_e} \biggr)^{-1} = 0 \, .</math>

Evaluation of this expression shows that the limiting pressure occurs precisely at <math>\xi_e = 3</math>, that is,

<math> \biggl( \frac{P_e}{P_\mathrm{rf}} \biggr)_\mathrm{max} = \biggl( \frac{2^{29}\cdot 3^{3} }{5^9} \biggr) \frac{3^{18}}{12^{12}} = \frac{2^5 \cdot 3^9}{5^9} \, , </math>

and the radius of this limiting configuration is,

<math> \biggl( \frac{R_\mathrm{eq}}{R_\mathrm{rf}} \biggr) = \biggl( \frac{5^5}{2^{15}\cdot 3} \biggr)^{1/2} \frac{12^3}{3^5} = \biggl( \frac{5^5}{2^3 \cdot 3^5} \biggr)^{1/2} \, . </math>

On the above log-log plot, the location of this special point is <math>[ \log(P_e/P_\mathrm{rf}) , \log(R_\mathrm{eq}/R_\mathrm{rf}) ] \approx [ -0.49149, +0.10308 ] \, .</math>

Related Wikipedia Discussions

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• Polytrope

© 2014 - 2021 by Joel E. Tohline |   H_Book Home   |   YouTube   | Appendices: | Equations | Variables | References | Ramblings | Images | myphys.lsu | ADS | Recommended citation:   Tohline, Joel E. (2021), The Structure, Stability, & Dynamics of Self-Gravitating Fluids, a (MediaWiki-based) Vistrails.org publication, https://www.vistrails.org/index.php/User:Tohline/citation