The virial theorem for non-differentiable dynamical paths in resolution-scale relativity

Abstract

The virial theorem is established in the framework of resolution-scale relativity for stochastic dynamics characterized by a diffusion constant D. It only relies on a simple time average just like the classical virial theorem, while the quantum mechanical virial theorem involves the expectation values of the observables. Nevertheless, by the emergence of a quantum-like potential term, the resolution-scale relativity virial theorem also encompasses quantum mechanical dynamics under the identification hbar <--> 2mD. This provides an illustration of the scale relativistic approach to the foundation of standard quantum mechanics. Furthermore, it is pointed out that, if the resolution-scale relativity principle is implemented in macroscopic systems that are complex and/or chaotic, then the application of the classical virial theorem in the analysis of the dynamics of astrophysical systems neglects the contribution from a resolution-scale relativistic quantum-like potential. It is shown that this quantum-like potential could account for some fraction of the dark matter hypothesis.