Why does A black hole need a massive center

In summary: Orbiting at near the speed of light would it not increase the likelihood of other particles orbiting in a similar fashion?It would increase the likelihood. If the mass was close to the speed of light, it would orbit around the black hole in a similar fashion.
  • #1
russinnj2000
2
0
Was thinking about this why is it a requirement that the center of a black hole be a singularity? If the event horizon contained all the mass of a black hole would it still not have the same effect on it's surroundings? Why could it not be similar to a a crystal where as each molecular link or in this case each piece of mass was pulling as a whole? Further as the mass accelerated towards the speed of light unless it was directly heading at the exact center of the black whole would it not orbit? Or be constantly approaching an escape velocity? If it was Orbiting at near the speed of light would it not increase the likelihood of other particles orbiting in a similar fashion? also even if it were to per say have a dead center pass on the central point of the black whole would the gravitational field not get weaker not stronger as it approached the absolute center? As all the mass surrounding as it approached the center would be pulling it away from the center equally? (Sort of the Gravitational Bungee Jump)
 
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  • #2
In the framework of general relativity, once an object is inside the event horizon, there is no world line, no matter how accelerated, that does not end up in the singularity.

Whether a singularity actually exists or not inside a black hole is up for interpretation. We can only view and observe a black hole from the outside of the event horizon. Once we are inside, we can't get information out, so there's no way to make observations. All we can say is that according to the currently generally accepted theory of gravity, once inside the black hole, the eventual future of any object is in a singularity.
 
  • #3
The main problem with saying there is a singularity at the center of a black hole is that current physics is undecided. General relativity leads to the singularity. Quantum theory says there is no such thing. The question remains unresolved.
 
  • #4
So my next question would be if you were approaching the event horizon approaching the speed of light would as you approached it and other objects which fell in approached it as well behind you observe your acceleration as an expansion regardless. It may as though appear to you nearing the horizon as if you were in an ever expanding space without explanation as to what was pulling you apart?
 
  • #5
To my layperson understanding, that would appear to be happening if you were looking directly in front or behind you, but not if you were looking in any other direction! To visually 'see' what you suggest, 'you' would have to be shrinking.

Damo
 
  • #6
russinnj2000,

The geometry of a black hole is different from what you're imagining. Dramatically different!

russinnj2000 said:
Was thinking about this why is it a requirement that the center of a black hole be a singularity?
A black hole does not have a "center" in the usual sense. As you enter the hole, the singularity is not something you can see in front of you. Inside of the hole, the coordinates we call r and t switch roles - r becomes the time coordinate, while t is one of the space coordinates. So the singularity at r = 0 is nowhere beside you, it is in your future. The geometry inside the hole is collapsing, taking you with it, and eventually (at time r = 0) everything inside reaches the singularity.

If the event horizon contained all the mass of a black hole would it still not have the same effect on it's surroundings? Why could it not be similar to a a crystal where as each molecular link or in this case each piece of mass was pulling as a whole?
Any infalling matter cannot remain at the event horizon. Also, you seem to be imagining the mass is spread out inside, filling the hole. In a Schwarzschild black hole, the interior of the event horizon is vacuum. There is no matter inside. If matter does fall into the hole from outside, the matter that preceded you will not be in front of you, it will be in your past! The matter that falls after you do will be in your future and you cannot be affected by it.

Further as the mass accelerated towards the speed of light unless it was directly heading at the exact center of the black whole would it not orbit? Or be constantly approaching an escape velocity?
There's a limit. The only circular orbits lie outside the hole. The smallest circular orbit is at r = 3M (the horizon is at r = 2M). Matter nearing the speed of light (or light itself) could orbit at this radius, r = 3M, but once inside this limit it would death spiral inward and fall through the horizon.

If it was Orbiting at near the speed of light would it not increase the likelihood of other particles orbiting in a similar fashion?
No.

also even if it were to per say have a dead center pass on the central point of the black whole would the gravitational field not get weaker not stronger as it approached the absolute center?
No. the strength increases all the way to r = 0, where it is infinite.

As all the mass surrounding as it approached the center would be pulling it away from the center equally? (Sort of the Gravitational Bungee Jump)
As I said above, that does not happen.
 
  • #7
russinnj2000 said:
Was thinking about this why is it a requirement that the center of a black hole be a singularity? If the event horizon contained all the mass of a black hole would it still not have the same effect on it's surroundings? Why could it not be similar to a a crystal where as each molecular link or in this case each piece of mass was pulling as a whole? Further as the mass accelerated towards the speed of light unless it was directly heading at the exact center of the black whole would it not orbit? Or be constantly approaching an escape velocity? If it was Orbiting at near the speed of light would it not increase the likelihood of other particles orbiting in a similar fashion?

The distance at which something must be traveling the speed of light in order to maintain an orbit is is known as the photon sphere. Inside the photon sphere orbits are not possible. The photon sphere actually lies outside] of the event horizon.
 
  • #8
russinnj2000 said:
Was thinking about this why is it a requirement that the center of a black hole be a singularity? If the event horizon contained all the mass of a black hole would it still not have the same effect on it's surroundings? Why could it not be similar to a a crystal where as each molecular link or in this case each piece of mass was pulling as a whole? Further as the mass accelerated towards the speed of light unless it was directly heading at the exact center of the black whole would it not orbit? Or be constantly approaching an escape velocity? If it was Orbiting at near the speed of light would it not increase the likelihood of other particles orbiting in a similar fashion? also even if it were to per say have a dead center pass on the central point of the black whole would the gravitational field not get weaker not stronger as it approached the absolute center? As all the mass surrounding as it approached the center would be pulling it away from the center equally? (Sort of the Gravitational Bungee Jump)

The following link gives a good description of what happens within the event horizon of a black hole using the Schwarzschild metric-

Spacetime Geometry Inside a Black Hole

Scroll down to the sub headings The Schwarzschild Metric and Inside the Black Hole
 

1. Why is a massive center necessary for a black hole?

The massive center of a black hole is necessary because it is what gives the black hole its immense gravitational pull. As matter collapses and compresses in the center, the gravity becomes stronger, eventually becoming so strong that not even light can escape.

2. Can a black hole exist without a massive center?

No, a black hole cannot exist without a massive center. The defining characteristic of a black hole is its singularity, which is the incredibly dense and massive center where the laws of physics as we know them break down.

3. How does a massive center form in a black hole?

A massive center forms in a black hole through the gravitational collapse of a very large and dense star. As the star runs out of fuel and can no longer support its own mass, gravity causes it to collapse in on itself, creating the massive center of the black hole.

4. How does the mass of the center affect the size of a black hole?

The mass of the center directly affects the size of a black hole. The more massive the center, the stronger the gravitational pull and the larger the event horizon (the point of no return for objects entering the black hole) will be.

5. Can a black hole have more than one massive center?

No, a black hole cannot have more than one massive center. The nature of a black hole's singularity means that there can only be one extremely dense and massive point at the center. If there were multiple centers, the black hole would not be able to maintain its extreme gravitational pull.

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