Escape Velocity in GR - PhysicsForums

In summary, the equation for Newtonian gravity is g=G(m/r^2)=G(4πr0^3/3r^2)ρ, where G is the gravitational constant, r0 is the radius of the object of mass, r is the distance between the center of the object and the point at which gravity is being calculated, and ρ is the density of the object of mass. The equation for GR gravity is g=G(4πr0^3/3r^2)(ρ+3P/c^2), where P is the pressure in N/m^3 and c is the speed of light. The escape velocity of an object is related to g by v_e=√(2gr
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stevebd1
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(This was originally posted in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=248625&page=2" but I started a new thread as it was going slightly off topic)

Einsteins equation for gravity is g=ρc2+3P (basically energy density plus 3 times the pressure)-

The equation for Newtonian gravity being (incorporating m=Vρ)-

[tex]g=G\frac{m}{r^2}=G\frac{4\pi r_0^3}{3r^2} \rho[/tex]

where G is the gravitational constant, r0 is the radius of the object of mass, r is the distance between the center of the object and the point at which gravity is being calculated and ρ is the density of the object of mass in kg/m^3 (Note when calculating gravity at the surface, r0^3/r^2 can be reduced to simply r0)

and the equation for GR gravity being-

[tex]g=G\frac{4\pi r_0^3}{3r^2} \left(\rho+\frac{3P}{c^2}\right)[/tex]

as above but where P is pressure in N/m^3 and c is the speed of light

The escape velocity of an object relates directly to g-

[tex]v_e=\sqrt{\frac{2Gm}{r}}=\sqrt{2gr}[/tex]

Which raises the issue of the effects of pressure on the collapse of a neutron star into a black hole as the collapse of the star is relative to the escape velocity exceeding c-

'There are a number of important situations in which ρ does not dominate P. In a neutron star, for example, which is held up by degeneracy pressure of the neutronium it consists of, pressure and energy density contribute comparably to the right-hand side of Einstein's equation. Moreover, above a mass of about 2 solar masses a nonrotating neutron star will inevitably collapse to form a black hole, thanks in part to the gravitational attraction caused by pressure.'
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/einstein/einstein.pdf" by J C Baez and E F Bunn, page 7

GR escape velocity might result in a temporarily different Schwarzschild radius as the pressure would increase the gravity, therefore increasing the escape velocity and increasing the radius which ve=c.

Considering the escape velocity of a static 3 sol mass neutron star on the brink of collapse with a radius of 11 km and an average equation of state of ~1/7 -

Newtonian gravity and escape velocity-
gN = 3.291x10^12 m/s^2, ve = 2.691x10^8 m/s (0.898c)

GR gravity and escape velocity-
gGR = 4.625x10^12 m/s^2, ve = 3.190x10^8 m/s (>c)

So if pressure is included the star would collapse sooner into a black hole. But would the 'new' Schwarzschild radius be temporary as the black hole settled down to 2Gm/c^2?
 
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@stevebd1 did you find any more insight on this topic?
 

1. What is escape velocity in general relativity (GR)?

Escape velocity in GR refers to the minimum velocity required for an object to escape the gravitational pull of a massive body, taking into account the effects of general relativity. This is different from the classical concept of escape velocity, which only considers the effects of Newtonian gravity.

2. How is escape velocity in GR calculated?

The escape velocity in GR is calculated using the Schwarzschild metric, which takes into account the curvature of space-time caused by a massive object. This metric is used to determine the escape velocity at any given distance from the object, taking into account the object's mass and the observer's relative position.

3. Does escape velocity in GR differ from classical escape velocity?

Yes, escape velocity in GR differs from classical escape velocity due to the effects of general relativity. In GR, the escape velocity is lower than the classical escape velocity at a given distance from the object, as the curvature of space-time causes a stronger gravitational pull.

4. What are some real-world applications of escape velocity in GR?

One real-world application of escape velocity in GR is in space travel. For example, rockets need to reach a certain velocity to escape the gravitational pull of a planet or other celestial body, and this velocity is influenced by GR. Additionally, escape velocity in GR is also important in understanding the formation and behavior of massive objects like black holes.

5. How does escape velocity in GR relate to the theory of general relativity?

Escape velocity in GR is a direct consequence of the theory of general relativity, which describes how gravity affects the curvature of space-time. The concept of escape velocity in GR is a manifestation of this curvature, as it determines the minimum velocity needed for an object to escape the gravitational pull of a massive object in a curved space-time. Therefore, understanding escape velocity in GR helps to deepen our understanding of general relativity.

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