Newtonian Gravity
In the case of a gravitational field g due to an attracting massive object, of density ρ, Gauss' law for gravity in differential form can be used to obtain the corresponding Poisson equation for gravity. Gauss' law for gravity is:
- ,
and since the gravitational field is conservative, it can be expressed in terms of a scalar potential Φ:
- ,
substituting into Gauss' law
obtains Poisson's equation for gravity:
Read more about this topic: Poisson's Equation
Famous quotes containing the word gravity:
“Grown beyond nature now, soft food for worms,
They lift frail heads in gravity and good faith.”
—Derek Mahon (b. 1941)