How Do Black Holes Influence the Path of Light?

  • Thread starter Thread starter vorcil
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Blackhole
AI Thread Summary
Black holes influence the path of light through their gravitational effects, which curve spacetime. Although photons are massless, they are still affected by gravity, as they follow the shortest paths in this curved spacetime. This means that light can be bent or redirected by the gravity of a black hole. Gravity does not pull objects in a traditional sense; rather, it creates a curvature that both massless and massive particles navigate. Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehending the behavior of light near black holes.
vorcil
Messages
395
Reaction score
0
How does the gravity affect of a black hole pull in light?

aren't photons massless?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
In relativity, gravity curves spacetime, and particles (massless and non-massless) follow the shortest paths in that curved spacetime. Therefore, gravity effects photons.
 
Yes, as nicksauce points out, gravity does not pull things; gravity is simply a curve in spacetime. Photons follow this curve, just like massive particles do.
 

Thread '3I/ATLAS, Interstellar Comet'

3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and formerly designated as A11pl3Z, is an iinterstellar comet. It was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile on 1 July 2025. Note: it was mentioned (as A11pl3Z) by DaveE in a new member's introductory thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/brian-cox-lead-me-here.1081670/post-7274146 https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/ One...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Does light bend around black holes?
Replies
49
Views
5K
Stargazing Merger of two black holes (video)
Replies
7
Views
3K
I Light curving around vortex simulating a black hole
Replies
5
Views
2K
I The initial density of an object and its compression into a black hole
Replies
17
Views
4K
I Black Hole Event Horizon Hypothesis
Replies
6
Views
2K
Insights Black Holes Are Not Empty Voids
Replies
11
Views
4K
B What is the definition of a black hole?
Replies
27
Views
5K
I Amount of black hole entropy inside the Universe?
Replies
5
Views
2K
B Observational bias? Lack of massive black hole observations....
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Does Dark matter get trapped in black holes and increase their mass?
Replies
14
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top