Can a Maximally Rotating Black Hole be Defined by the Kerr Metric?

In summary, we discussed the possibility of defining a maximally rotating black hole using the equation 4\alpha^2 = r_s^2, where alpha is the dimensionless spin parameter and r_s is the Schwarzschild radius. We also looked at the Kerr metric and its representation in a co-rotating reference frame. It was noted that for any black hole, the angular momentum J should be between 0 and J_{max}, with a_{*} as the dimensionless spin parameter. It was also suggested that if J exceeds J_{max}, the event horizon could disappear, leaving a naked singularity.
  • #1
Imax
186
0
Is it possible to define a maximally rotating black hole? Could it be:

[tex]4\alpha^2 = r_s^2[/tex]

(i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerr_metric, inner event horizon)
 
Space news on Phys.org
  • #2
Imax said:
Is it possible to define a maximally rotating black hole? Could it be:

[tex]4\alpha^2 = r_s^2[/tex]

(i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerr_metric, inner event horizon)

Hello Imax

This can be reduced to a=M or a/M=1 where rs=2M.
 
  • #3
Hi steve:

Having problems with LaTex. see attached
 

Attachments

  • Jmax.doc
    28.5 KB · Views: 220
Last edited:
  • #4
It's also worth noting that when charge is included, Jmax becomes-

[tex]J_{max}=M^2\sqrt{1-\frac{Q^2}{M^2}}[/tex]

which means the following should also apply-

[tex]Q_{max}\equiv M\sqrt{1-\frac{a^2}{M^2}}[/tex]

The above can reduce (for a maximal BH) to-

[itex]a^2+Q^2=M^2[/itex]

where [itex]M=Gm/c^2,\ a=j/mc[/itex] and [itex]Q=C\sqrt(G k_e)/c^2[/itex]

where M and Q are mass and charge in geometric units and m and C are the SI units respectively, a is the spin parameter (normally J is used for both geometric and SI units for angular momentum but for some clarity I've used j to represent SI units and J to represent geometric units).

where there's no charge-

[tex]J_{max}=M^2[/tex]

for a non-maximal, non-charged rotating black hole-

[tex]J=Ma[/tex]

(while wiki are happy to use [itex]\alpha[/itex] to represent the spin parameter, this could get confusing later on when using the redshift or reduction factor in Kerr metric which is more commonly represented by [itex]\alpha[/itex] also).

Event horizons for a black hole with both spin and charge (Kerr-Newman) is represented by-

[tex]r_{\pm}=M \pm \sqrt{M^2-Q^2-a^2}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #5
stevebd1 said:
(while wiki are happy to use [itex]\alpha[/itex] to represent the spin parameter, this could get confusing later on when using the redshift or reduction factor in Kerr metric which is more commonly represented by [itex]\alpha[/itex] also).

So it would be less confusing if I used the symbole [itex]a[/itex]? What would be a common symbole (good symbole) to use for the dimensionless spin parameter:

[tex] \frac{cJ}{GM^2}[/tex]

I've seen [itex]a_{*}[/itex] and [itex]\chi[/itex].
 
  • #6
Imax said:
What would be a common symbole (good symbole) to use for the dimensionless spin parameter:

[tex] \frac{cJ}{GM^2}[/tex]

I've seen [itex]a_{*}[/itex] and [itex]\chi[/itex].

[itex]a_{*}[/itex] or [itex]a^*[/itex] appear to be used the most to represent a/M though I've also seen [itex]\bar{a}[/itex].
 
  • #7
Imax said:
Having problems with LaTex. see attached
I think I may have solved my problem with Latex. This is what was in the attachement:

[tex]4\alpha^2=4\left ( \frac{J}{Mc} \right )^2=4\frac{J^2}{M^2c^2}=r_s^2=\left ( \frac{2GM}{c^2} \right )^2=4\frac{G^2M^2}{c^4}[/tex]

Isolating J gives the maximum angular momentum as:

[tex]J_{max}=\frac{GM^2}{c}[/tex]

And also limits a to:

[tex]\alpha_{max}=\frac{J_{max}}{Mc}=\frac{1}{Mc}\left ( \frac{GM^2}{c} \right )=\frac{GM}{c^2}=\frac{1}{2}r_s[/tex]

Seems like hitting the preview button too many times is not a good idea.
 
  • #8
The angular momentum J for any black hole should be between 0 and [itex]J_{max}[/itex], so, for any black hole, J can be defined as some fraction of the maximum:

[tex]J=a_*J_{max}[/tex]

[tex]0\leq a_*\leq 1[/tex]

with [itex]a_*[/itex] a dimensionless spin parameter:

[tex]a_*=\frac{J}{J_{max}}=J\frac{1}{J_{max}}=\frac{cJ}{GM^2}[/tex]

The value [itex] a_*=0[/itex] corresponds to a Schwarzschild black hole and [itex] a_*=1[/itex] to an extreme Kerr black hole. According to this equation, the value of [itex]a[/itex] for any black hole is:

[tex]a=\frac{J}{Mc}=a_*\frac{J_{max}}{Mc}=\frac{a_*}{2}r_s [/tex]

If, for any black hole, the radius [itex]r[/itex] can be expressed as a multiple of [itex]r_s[/itex] then

[tex]r=nr_s[/tex]

[tex]n=\frac{r}{r_s}[/tex]

[tex]n\geq 1[/tex]

Substituting [itex]r[/itex] with [itex]nr_s[/itex] and [itex]a[/itex] with

[tex]\frac{a_*}{2}r_s[/tex]

can simplify (??) some equations.
 
  • #9
As an example, according to Wiki, the Kerr Metric is equivalent to a co-rotating reference frame that rotates with angular speed [itex]\Omega[/itex], and this angular speed depends on both the radius [itex]r[/itex] and the colatitude [itex]\theta[/itex]:

[tex]\Omega =- \frac{g_{t\phi}}{g_{\phi \phi}}=\frac{r_sarc}{\rho^2(r^2+a^2)+r_sa^2 r \sin^2\theta }[/tex]

[tex]\rho ^2=r^2+a^2\cos^2\theta[/tex]

Substituting [itex]r[/itex] with [itex]nr_s[/itex] and [itex]a[/itex] with

[tex]\frac{a_*}{2}r_s[/tex]

gives, after about a page of math, something like:

[tex]\Omega =\frac{c}{r_s}\left ( \frac{8na_*}{16n^4+4n^2a_*^2+4n^2a_*^2\cos^2\theta+4na_*^2\sin^2\theta+a_*^4\cos^2\theta } \right )[/tex]

Or

[tex]\Omega =\frac{c}{r_s}p(n,a_*,\theta)[/tex]

The angular speed is given by the speed of light divided by the Schwarzschild radius times a polynomial [itex]p(n,a_*,\theta)[/itex] which is a dimensionless scale factor given by:

[tex]p(n,a_*,\theta)=\frac{8na_*}{16n^4+4n^2a_*^2+4n^2a_*^2\cos^2\theta+4na_*^2\sin^2\theta+a_*^4\cos^2\theta }[/tex]

[tex]n=\frac{r}{r_s}=\frac{rc^2}{2GM}\geq 1[/tex]

[tex]a_*=\frac{J}{J_{max}}=\frac{Jc}{GM^2}\leq 1[/tex]
 
  • #10
?

Are you trying to suggest that a singularity would ease to exist if its radial velocity was approx. 15% of "c"?
 
  • #11
Cold Winter said:
?

Are you trying to suggest that a singularity would ease to exist if its radial velocity was approx. 15% of "c"?

If [itex] J>J_{max} [/itex] then the event horizon becomes imaginary with components of
[itex]\sqrt{-1}[/itex]. The event horizon could disappear, leaving a naked singularity o=).

Where did 15% of c come from?
 
Last edited:

1. What is a maximally rotating black hole?

A maximally rotating black hole is a type of black hole that is rotating at its maximum possible speed. This means that the black hole is spinning at its theoretical limit, which is close to the speed of light. In this state, the black hole is known as a Kerr black hole.

2. How does a black hole achieve maximum rotation?

A black hole can achieve maximum rotation through a process called accretion. This is when matter, such as gas or stars, falls into the black hole and gets absorbed. As the matter gets closer to the black hole, it speeds up and increases the rotation of the black hole. This process can continue until the black hole reaches its maximum possible rotation.

3. What are the properties of a maximally rotating black hole?

A maximally rotating black hole has several unique properties. It has an event horizon, which is the point of no return where even light cannot escape. It also has an ergosphere, which is a region just outside the event horizon where space and time are dragged along with the rotation of the black hole. Additionally, a maximally rotating black hole has a ring singularity, which is a one-dimensional ring of infinite density at the center of the black hole.

4. Can anything escape from a maximally rotating black hole?

No, nothing can escape from a maximally rotating black hole. The intense gravitational pull of a maximally rotating black hole, combined with the extreme speeds of rotation, make it impossible for anything to escape once it crosses the event horizon. This includes light, which is why black holes are often referred to as "black".

5. Are maximally rotating black holes common in the universe?

No, maximally rotating black holes are not common in the universe. They are thought to be rare and are only found in certain conditions, such as in the center of galaxies where there is a lot of matter and energy to fuel their rotation. Most black holes in the universe are not rotating at their maximum speed and are instead spinning at varying rates.

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
890
Replies
36
Views
3K
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
911
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
364
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
4
Views
391
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top