Dynamic Event Horizon: The Effects of Tidal Gravitational Forces on Black Holes

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter qwe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Event horizon Horizon
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of the event horizon of black holes, particularly in relation to tidal gravitational forces and their potential effects on the curvature of space. Participants explore whether the event horizon is a static sphere or a dynamic, wavy structure influenced by gravitational perturbations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if tidal gravitational forces change the curvature of space around black holes, suggesting that this could lead to a dynamic event horizon rather than a static spherical one.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty, indicating that the mathematical understanding of this phenomenon is not fully established.
  • A participant notes the complexity of space curvature and mentions that there are few exact solutions to the Einstein Field Equations, relying instead on numerical approximations. They suspect that gravitational distortions could affect the event horizon but lack proof.
  • One participant argues that any perturbation of the event horizon would quickly dissipate, suggesting that the event horizon would return to a spherical shape within seconds due to the emission of gravitational waves.
  • Another participant speculates that if the event horizon does exhibit dynamic behavior, it might resemble a spherical liquid with a wavy surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the event horizon, with some proposing that it could be dynamic while others suggest it quickly stabilizes into a spherical shape. No consensus is reached regarding the effects of tidal forces on the event horizon.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about the mathematical models and the lack of empirical evidence to support claims about the dynamic nature of the event horizon.

qwe
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
as "tidal gravitational forces" ripple outward, does that not change the curvature of space, making the region around the black hole very dynamic? so wouldn't the event horizon not be a sphere, but rather a wavy dynamic structure? because the "measured gravity" at a specific radius out at any given point would constantly change?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
NOBODY knows? it has to be in the maths
 
Curvature of space is really quite complicated. In fact, we only have a handful of exact solutions to the Einstein Field Equations. Most of the time, people just work with numerical approximations. I have no first hand knowledge of whether passing gravitational distortions would affect the EH of a black hole. I would suspect that it would, but I really have no proof of this.
 
so wouldn't the event horizon not be a sphere, but rather a wavy dynamic structure?
I don't have the details at hand, but any perturbation of the EH fades away very quickly, by emitting gravitational waves. It's a matter of seconds for spacetime to calm down and the EH being spherical again.
 
if the math actually says it is a matter of seconds, then it would look sort of like a spherical liquid (if we could visualize the EH that is) with a wavy surface
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K