Gravitational potential of a homogeneous circular torus: new approach

Abstract

The integral expression for gravitational potential of a homogeneous circular torus composed of infinitely thin rings is obtained. Approximate expressions for torus potential in the outer and inner regions are found. In the outer region a torus potential is shown to be approximately equal to that of an infinitely thin ring of the same mass; it is valid up to the surface of the torus. It is shown in a first approximation, that the inner potential of the torus (inside a torus body) is a quadratic function of coordinates. The method of sewing together the inner and outer potentials is proposed. This method provided a continuous approximate solution for the potential and its derivatives, working throughout the region.