Radial temperature gradient of a black hole

In summary, according to this passage, the temperature of Hawking radiation decreases as the detector approaches the horizon.
  • #1
kmarinas86
979
1
Assuming that the accretion disk has been totally consumed by the black hole, does the temperature of the black hole due to Hawking radiation vary with respect with proximity with the black hole? For example, if I were next to the black hole, would this radiation would have a higher temperature than I was far away?

Should the temperature gradient, in effect, be corrected for gravitational redshift, such that the temperature declines as distance from the black hole's center decreases? Or should the temperature gradient not get corrected for the gravitational redshift, such that the temperature of the black hole at some location is determined by the local observer at its local coordinate frame, rather than from a global coordinate frame of reference?

If light cannot escape beyond the black hole's event horizon. Doesn't that make it a heat sink? If it is a heat sink, musn't that mean that, as far as thermodynamics are concerned, that it must be treated as a colder body, and not a hotter one, so a black hole does not have infinite temperature and entropy? Also, wouldn't an evaporating black hole be evaporating due to the universe heating it up?
 
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  • #2
kmarinas86 said:
Should the temperature gradient, in effect, be corrected for gravitational redshift, such that the temperature declines as distance from the black hole's center decreases? Or should the temperature gradient not get corrected for the gravitational redshift, such that the temperature of the black hole at some location is determined by the local observer at its local coordinate frame, rather than from a global coordinate frame of reference?
That is an interesting question. Is a redshifted black body spectrum even a black body spectrum?
 
  • #3
Is a redshifted black body spectrum even a black body spectrum?
Yes indeed.
 
  • #4
Then it would definitely seem that the temperature of a black hole, as determined by the black body spectrum of Hawking radiation, would depend on the distance from the black hole. I don't know if the equation for Hawking radiation is at the event horizon or at infinity.
 
  • #5
DaleSpam said:
Then it would definitely seem that the temperature of a black hole, as determined by the black body spectrum of Hawking radiation, would depend on the distance from the black hole. I don't know if the equation for Hawking radiation is at the event horizon or at infinity.

If I understand Hawking's derivation, it's the temperature seen at infinity.
 
  • #6
kmarinas86 said:
... Also, wouldn't an evaporating black hole be evaporating due to the universe heating it up?

Hawking radiation is not dependent on the surrounding temperature, so no I don't think so.
 
  • #7
Should the temperature gradient, in effect, be corrected for gravitational redshift, such that the temperature declines as distance from the black hole's center decreases?
I think this is the answer. It increases! This is taken from Birrell & Davies, p.282.

"For the Unruh vacuum, FU(E)/unit proper time = 1/E(eE/kT - 1) where kT = [64π2M2(1 - 2M/R)]. As the detector approaches the horizon (R → 2M) the temperature of the flux determined by the detector diverges. This is due to the fact that the detector must be noninertial to maintain a fixed distance from the black hole The magnitude of the acceleration relative to the local freely-falling frame is M/[R2(1 - 2M/R)½]. Such acceleration gives rise to the detection of additional particles. As the horizon is approached, the acceleration diverges, as does the temperature."
 

1. What is a radial temperature gradient of a black hole?

A radial temperature gradient of a black hole refers to the change in temperature as you move closer or further away from the event horizon of a black hole. The temperature near the event horizon is much higher than the temperature further away, creating a gradient.

2. How is the radial temperature gradient of a black hole measured?

The radial temperature gradient of a black hole is measured using a combination of theoretical calculations and observations of radiation emitted from the black hole. Scientists use equations such as the Hawking radiation formula to estimate the temperature at different distances from the event horizon.

3. What causes the radial temperature gradient of a black hole?

The main factor that causes the radial temperature gradient of a black hole is the intense gravity near the event horizon. This gravity warps space and time, causing a buildup of energy that is released as radiation. The closer you get to the event horizon, the stronger the gravity and the higher the temperature.

4. How does the radial temperature gradient of a black hole affect its surroundings?

The radial temperature gradient of a black hole can have a significant impact on its surroundings. The high temperatures near the event horizon can cause nearby matter to heat up and emit radiation, and also affect the movement of particles and light. The gradient also plays a role in the formation and evolution of black hole accretion disks.

5. Can the radial temperature gradient of a black hole change over time?

Yes, the radial temperature gradient of a black hole can change over time. As a black hole grows by accreting matter, the radius of its event horizon increases, therefore changing the temperature gradient. Additionally, as a black hole emits Hawking radiation, its mass decreases and its temperature increases, altering the gradient as well.

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