Analogies between the virial theorem and the Price equation
Phys. Rev. E 112, 054139 – Published 21 November, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/r8bd-lhm3
Abstract
We observe that the time-averaged continuous Price equation is identical to the positive momentum virial theorem, and we discuss the applications and implications of this connection. We also introduce ecological models using a maternal effect, which can describe arbitrary population size cycles and trait evolution across spatially separated populations. The virial theorem sheds light on the time-averaged behavior of these models.
