The Hernquist model for spherical galaxies states that the mass density at a distance to the galactic center is given by
(Here, represents the variable radius to the center of the galaxy.) This model was chosen so that the density has the behavior as and as . Let represents the total mass contained within a sphere of radius , centered at the galactic center. (I.e., is a cumulative mass function–it tells the total mass that lies within a distance to the galaxy’s center.) Determine a formula for . Hint: Use spherical shells.
In a spherical shell of thickness ds at a radius s, the approximate volume, dV is
$$dV=4\pi s^2ds$$
Hence the mass, dM in this shell is given by ρ*dV or:
$$dM=4\pi \frac{s^2}{s(1+s)^3}ds$$
Integrating this from 0 to r we get:
$$M(r)=4\pi \int_0^r \frac{s^2}{s(1+s)^3}ds=2\pi \frac{r^2}{(r+1)^2}$$
.
In a spherical shell of thickness ds at a radius s, the approximate volume, dV is
$$dV=4\pi s^2ds$$
Hence the mass, dM in this shell is given by ρ*dV or:
$$dM=4\pi \frac{s^2}{s(1+s)^3}ds$$
Integrating this from 0 to r we get:
$$M(r)=4\pi \int_0^r \frac{s^2}{s(1+s)^3}ds=2\pi \frac{r^2}{(r+1)^2}$$
.