The Buchdahl Bound Denotes The Geometrical Virial Theorem

Abstract

In this paper, we geometrically establish yet another correspondence between Newtonian mechanics and general relativity by connecting the Buchdahl bound and the Virial theorem. Buchdahl stars are defined by the saturation of the Buchdahl bound, $\Phi(R) \leq 4/9$ where $\Phi(R)$ is the gravitational potential felt by a radially falling particle. An interesting alternative characterization is given by gravitational energy being half of non-gravitational energy. With insightful identification of the former with kinetic and the latter with potential energy, it has been recently argued that the equilibrium of a Buchdahl star may be governed by the Virial theorem. In this paper, we provide a purely geometric version of this theorem and thereby of the Buchdahl star characterization. We show that the condition for an accreting Buchdahl star to remain in the state of Virial equilibrium is that it must expel energy via heat flux, appearing in the exterior as Vaidya radiation. If that happens then a Buchdahl star continues in the Virial equilibrium state without ever turning into a black hole.