Virial Theorem

Relates time-averaged kinetic and potential energy of bound systems, key evidence for dark matter.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Derived by Rudolf Clausius in 1870 in his work on mechanics and heat.
• For gravitationally bound systems, average kinetic energy equals minus one half the average potential energy.
• Fritz Zwicky applied it to the Coma Cluster in 1933, finding the mass deficit that pointed to dark matter.

Specifications & Metrics

• SYMBOL: 2⟨T⟩ = -⟨V⟩