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A thermodynamic origin of a universal mass-angular momentum relationship

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Abstract

The distribution functions for the total linear and angular momentum ofN particles selected from an equilibrium gas are derived. The most probable momentum increases withN. If the particles of an astronomical system are assumed to come from an original ‘cosmic gas’, universal mass-versus-momentum relations can be derived. The derived mass-versus-angular momentum relation is similar but not identical to that which has been reported. The derived relationship applies to the initial conditions and evolutionary effects may account for the difference between this prediction and the observed relationship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia

    M. N. Macrossan

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  1. M. N. Macrossan
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Macrossan, M.N. A thermodynamic origin of a universal mass-angular momentum relationship. Astrophys Space Sci 133, 403–410 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642499

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642499

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