A generalization of Liapunov's theorem concerning a mass of fluid with self-gravitation (Q800146)

Suppose that a mass of fluid with uniform density lies in \(R^ 3\) and that no force other than the gravitational one due to itself acts on it. Then it is intuitively clear that the fluid attains its equilibrium by forming a sphere. M. A. Lyapunov proves that the sphere is the only stable equilibrium figure of the fluid. In the present paper we show that among all the figures of the mass of fluid (stable or not) the sphere is the only possible equilibrium figure.