Does captured light increase a black hole's mass?

[Decimator]

As energy cannot be created or destroyed, what happens to a black hole that captures a photon? Does the black hole's mass increase by the energy of the photon? Or is the photon simply trapped there, and then escape when the black hole finally evaporates from hawking radiation?

Or something else entirely?

 

[Mordred]

E=mc² so yes captured energy does increase a BH's mass

 

[rexregisanimi]

The photon looses its identity upon entering the Black Hole. It is lumped into the Black Hole's mass and will not come out again as itself so far as we know.

Hope that helps :p

 

[Astrofan]

E=mc² so yes captured energy does increase a BH's mass

Just a comment, General Relativity uses "mass-energy" and a source to cause "curvature" in space-time (or if you like it better this way: a source of "gravity")

Therefore, yes, photons, as they carrying energy, they will increase the mass-energy of the black hole. (and therefore it's gravity)

 

[pmacias]

I can say that the answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. Captured light can contribute to a black hole's mass, but it is not the only factor that determines the mass of a black hole. The mass of a black hole is primarily determined by the amount of matter and energy that it has consumed.

When a black hole captures a photon, its mass does increase by the energy of the photon. This is because, according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc², energy and mass are equivalent and can be converted into each other. Therefore, the energy of the photon adds to the black hole's mass.

However, the captured photon does not simply stay trapped inside the black hole forever. As you mentioned, black holes can emit Hawking radiation, which is a form of radiation that causes the black hole to lose mass over time. This means that eventually, the black hole will lose the energy and mass gained from the captured photon.

It is also worth noting that the increase in mass from a single photon is extremely small and would not significantly impact the overall mass of a black hole. Additionally, the mass of a black hole is not solely determined by the energy it has consumed. Other factors such as the black hole's spin and the gravitational pull of nearby objects also play a role in its mass.

In conclusion, captured light can contribute to a black hole's mass, but it is not the only factor and the mass gained from a single photon is minimal. The photon will eventually escape through Hawking radiation, but the overall mass of the black hole is determined by multiple factors.