Einstein Luminosity and Speed of Light

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to find the Einstein luminosity in terms of the speed of light and the gravitational constant using dimensional analysis. The problem involves understanding the relationship between luminosity, power, and the implications of mass-energy conversion in the context of black holes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss the units of power and how they relate to the constants c and G. The original poster has made progress in determining a formula for luminosity but expresses uncertainty about the next steps in the problem. Others question the implications of luminosity in relation to black holes and energy collapse.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the original poster's understanding of the problem and the implications of their findings. Some participants provide off-topic responses, while others engage with the physics concepts being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of homework constraints, as one participant advises the original poster to complete their homework independently. The original poster's inquiry suggests they are navigating complex concepts related to black holes and luminosity limits.

kornha
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Homework Statement


Find the Einstein luminosity (LE) in terms of just c and G (the speed of light
and the gravitational constant), i.e. determine a power (in watts) from just these two terms
using dimensional analysis. What is this value? Once determined, you should be able to
show that an object converting its mass entirely to energy cannot radiate that energy away
fast enough before becoming a black hole if its luminosity is greater than 0:5LE. Thus LE
represents an upper limit on how bright anything in our universe can be!

Homework Equations


There are no particular relevant equations. It helps to know that G is n m^3/(kg s^2) units and that c is m/s. Luminosity also equals Power.

The Attempt at a Solution


I solved the beginning. I found that the units of power are J/s which end up being (kg ms^2)/(s^3) and thus solving for a c and G combination yields that L = c^5/G.
However, I am completely unsure how to procede in the question passed the "Once determined you should be able to show..."
Please, any help would be great!
 
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Please do your 250 homework by yourself.
 
Black holes sound ominous...

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Hmm, what odd responses you got... So anyway, consider radiation moving away from the source at the speed of light. How much energy is contained in a sphere of radius ct and how much is needed to collapse it into a black hole?
 

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