Moogle
Since the gravity of a black hole affects light, does a baem of light accelerate when it nears a black hole ? Just wondering.
The discussion revolves around the behavior of light in the vicinity of black holes, particularly whether light accelerates as it approaches a black hole and how gravity affects its trajectory and frequency. The scope includes conceptual and technical aspects of physics related to gravity, light, and vector mechanics.
Participants express differing views on whether light accelerates in the context of gravitational fields, with some asserting that it does due to changes in direction, while others maintain that its speed remains constant. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views.
There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of acceleration in the context of light and the implications of changing frequency versus speed. Some participants also exhibit confusion about the nature of light and its interaction with physical objects.
This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts in general relativity, the behavior of light in gravitational fields, and the foundational principles of physics related to momentum and energy.
It doesn't change speed -- but it changes direction.Originally posted by Moogle
Since the gravity of a black hole affects light, does a baem of light accelerate when it nears a black hole ? Just wondering.
nonsense.Originally posted by chroot
It doesn't change speed -- but it changes direction.
Physicists refer to any change in the velocity vector an acceleration, though -- so yes, the light does accelerate. Its velocity vector does not change in magnitude however, which means the light does not change speed.
- Warren
Originally posted by selfAdjoint
A light beam always follow the shortest path through the vacuum. If space is flat that path is a straight line. But near a gravitational source it is a curved line, called a geodesic. Light follows it.
The gravitational potential will not acclerate the ligh, but it will change its frequency. For light, momentum is exhibited as frequency according to the equation momentum equals Planck's constant times frequency. p=h[nu].
Originally posted by marcus
Or E = h ν
and p = E/c = hν /c
dr-dock:
Can you put light on bread and eat it?