Black Hole Creation at Near Light Speed? - Prof. Andrea Ghez

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of relativistic effects on mass and the conditions for black hole formation, particularly in the context of objects moving at near light speed. It explores theoretical considerations and conceptual clarifications related to black holes and relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that Prof. Andrea Ghez suggested any mass compressed within the Schwarzschild radius could become a black hole, raising the question of whether a near light-speed object would create a black hole due to increased relativistic mass.
  • Another participant argues against the relevance of "relativistic mass," stating that it is no longer a useful concept in modern physics.
  • A different participant asserts that a near light-speed object does not form a black hole, referencing John Baez's work on the topic.
  • One post provides a link to an article discussing the concept of relativistic mass and its declining use in physics.
  • Another participant emphasizes that mixing concepts of special relativity with mass-based gravity is problematic, asserting that black holes cannot be adequately described within the framework of special relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the relevance and implications of relativistic mass in the context of black hole formation. There is no consensus on whether the concept should be applied to the scenario presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of mass in different contexts and the assumptions underlying the application of special relativity to black holes. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

jobyts
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Yesterday, I attended the following presentation by Prof. Andrea Ghez.

https://www.meetup.com/physicists/events/236886090/?gj=co2&rv=co2

In the Q&A session towards the end, there was a question she fumbled to give a proper answer.

She mentioned that as long as the mass is compressed into within the Schwarzschild radius, any mass could turn into a black hole.
She gave the exact presentation as in .
See between 8:10-9:00.

The question from the audience was, if an object travels at near speed of light, the mass increases, volume reduces. So, will a near light moving object create a black hole?

https://www.quora.com/Relativity-physics-Does-relativistic-mass-have-gravity
says the relativistic mass does have gravity.
 
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And this, boys and girls, is why we no longer use the concept of "relativistic mass".

Zz.
 
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First of all, any attempt at trying to deal with a black hole mixing concepts of special relativity and "mass based" gravity is doomed. Black holes cannot be described in the flat spacetime of SR, nor is mass the source of spacetime curvature in GR - the stress energy tensor is.

Second, as already mentioned, relativistic mass has been the cause of probably almost as many misunderstandings of SR as the relativity of simultaneity. It is also an archaic concept that is not really used by practicing physicists.
 
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