According to the Virial Theorem, as gravity compresses a system, what energy component must increase to approach a new state of balance?
Answer
The average kinetic energy (temperature)
The Virial Theorem describes the relationship necessary for a system to maintain equilibrium: the average kinetic energy, which is directly proportional to the internal temperature and pressure, must be balanced by half of the system's total gravitational potential energy. As the gravitational force continues to compress the gaseous body, it steadily decreases the gravitational potential energy stored within the system. To maintain the required balance dictated by the theorem, the kinetic energy component—meaning the internal temperature and resulting thermal pressure—must continuously increase to compensate for the loss of potential energy during the contraction process.
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