Calculate Schwarzschild Radius of Earth-Sized Mass

In summary, a black hole is a massive object with such a strong gravitational field that neither matter nor light can escape. When a mass similar to Earth's is compressed into a small uniform sphere, the limiting radius at which it becomes a black hole can be determined using the equation V=sqrt(2GM/r), where V is the speed of light, G is the universal gravitational constant, and r is the radius of the sphere. This concept was first proposed by John Michell in 1783, over a century before Schwarzschild.
  • #1
xRandomx210
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A black hole is an object so heavy that neither
matter nor even light can escape the influence
of its gravitational field. Since no light can
escape from it, it appears black. Suppose a
mass approximately the size of the Earth’s
mass 7.22 × 1024 kg is packed into a small
uniform sphere of radius r.
Use:
The speed of light c = 2.99792 × 108 m/s .
The universal gravitational constant G =
6.67259 × 10−11 Nm2/kg2 .
Hint: The escape speed must be the speed
of light.
Based on Newtonian mechanics, determine
the limiting radius r0 when this mass (approx-
imately the size of the Earth’s mass) becomes
a black hole. Answer in units of m.V[e]=Sqrt(2GM)(r))

Where the V[e]is the speed of light. This should be easy but apparently i am getting it wrong some how... any ideas?
 
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  • #2
Well, your equation is slightly wrong. It is a simple matter of plugging and chugging, but your equation should be V=sqrt(2GM/r)
 
  • #3
John Michell, c1783, 133 years before Schwarzschild.
 

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