Gravitational
Potentials
This can be illustrated by plotting contours of equal gravitational potential, as
illustrated in the adjacent image. The center of mass is marked with an "x". The
point labeled L1 is called the inner Lagrange point; it is a
point where one unique potential energy contour intersects itself. If a star
expands sufficiently to place matter near the inner Lagrange point, accretion can
occur onto the other star.
