Black Hole Formation: Does it Start at the Center or Simultaneously?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the formation of black holes, specifically whether they begin forming from a specific point of strong gravity, from the center outward, or if the process occurs simultaneously. Participants also explore the concept of gravity within black holes in comparison to gravitational experiences on Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that gravity "cancels out" at the center of the Earth, raising the question of whether black holes form from a specific point or simultaneously.
  • Another participant argues that in a black hole, the concept of "in" or "out" does not apply, as all mass is concentrated in a very small region, which affects how gravity is perceived.
  • A later reply reiterates the idea that gravity is determined by the mass inside a sphere, suggesting that as one approaches the center of a black hole, the distribution of mass changes fundamentally compared to Earth.
  • One participant seeks clarification on whether the direction of gravitational acceleration on Earth converges to a point at the center, indicating a desire to understand the mathematical modeling of gravity distribution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of black hole formation and the behavior of gravity within them. There is no consensus on whether black holes start forming from a specific point, from the center outward, or simultaneously.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference gravitational behavior both on Earth and in black holes, but the discussion lacks detailed mathematical treatment or definitions of terms like "center" and "mass distribution." Assumptions about uniform mass distribution in Earth are made without further exploration.

nitsuj
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Saw somewhere that the force of gravity "cancels out" in that if in the approx. centre of the Earth you would feel no gravity (net zero).

Does a black hole "start" forming from a particular point? (ie where gravity is strongest) Or "start" to form from the centre out? Or does it all just happen simultaneously?

Last would the centre of a black hole have the same net zero gravity area as Earth?
 
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I believe there is not "in" or "out" in a black hole. You see, the reason that you feel less gravity as you move toward the center of the Earth is because gravity is determined by how much mass is "inside a sphere" between you and the Earth's center. As the 'sphere' inside you shrinks, so does the gravitational pull.

Now, with a black hole all the mass is concentrated as a very, very tiny center. So there is no way for you to have some of the mass "outside" of you, because of the way it exists. But someone else will surely clarify this, I hope!
 
schaefera said:
I believe there is not "in" or "out" in a black hole. You see, the reason that you feel less gravity as you move toward the center of the Earth is because gravity is determined by how much mass is "inside a sphere" between you and the Earth's center. As the 'sphere' inside you shrinks, so does the gravitational pull.

Now, with a black hole all the mass is concentrated as a very, very tiny center. So there is no way for you to have some of the mass "outside" of you, because of the way it exists. But someone else will surely clarify this, I hope!

I can help clarify my question.
I get there is no going into a black hole. But it does have a measurable size so Id guess math can figure out the "centre" and math models for the distrabution of gravity.

I guess to ask it differently does the direction of acceleration of Earth gravity all focus to some point in the centre of the earth?
 
Force and Mass are proportional, so, when you are at the center of the Earth, all the mass is (for the sake of ease we'll assume is distributed evenly) evenly around you, which is to say, you are being pulled from every direction equally, which causes the situation where you are experiencing all the acceleration canceling itself out.

Edit: ...you are experiencing... acceleration in every direction equally.
 
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