Some remarks on the jeans rule

From the basic laws of physics one can deduce the Jeans empirical rule, which should preferably be called the Jeans rule. Its representations in velocity, height and energy are completely equivalent and may be arbitrarily chosen. This rule is most easily interpreted in terms of energy. The Jeans rule merely provides a necessary condition for the particles to be the main atmospheric constituent of a planet or satellite with a dense atmosphere. Its range of applicability can be expressed by equations or figures, or by a nomogram. It is applicable to planets, satellites, asteroids and meteoric bodies in the solar system, as well as to some objects in the outer solar system, such as the objects in the Kuiper belt and the Centaurs. This rule still possesses a general and realistic significance even at present day.