Falling into a charged black hole

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the theoretical implications of attempting to destroy a Kerr-Newman black hole by introducing a charged particle. Wald explains that for a black hole with mass M equal to charge Q and zero angular momentum J, a charged particle with mass m and charge q (where m < q) cannot fall into the black hole due to the overwhelming Coulomb repulsion. However, if the particle is thrown with sufficient kinetic energy (E > q - m), it can overcome this repulsion and enter the black hole, maintaining the inequality M ≥ Q. This indicates that the attempt to create a naked singularity ultimately fails.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kerr-Newman black holes
  • Familiarity with Coulomb's law and electrostatic forces
  • Basic knowledge of general relativity and geodesics
  • Concept of energy-mass equivalence in relativistic physics
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  • Research the properties and equations governing Kerr-Newman black holes
  • Study the implications of Coulomb forces in relativistic contexts
  • Explore the concept of naked singularities and their significance in theoretical physics
  • Learn about the role of kinetic energy in particle dynamics near black holes
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, astrophysicists, and students studying general relativity, particularly those interested in black hole physics and the implications of charged particles in gravitational fields.

lark
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Wald says (paraphrased)
"Let us attempt to destroy a black hole and create a naked singularity. Kerr-Newman black holes satisfy the relation [itex]M^2\ge Q^2 + (J/M)^2[/itex], where [itex]M,Q,J[/itex] are the mass, charge and angular momentum of the black hole (and G and c are taken to be 1).

Let us start with a black hole with [itex]M=Q[/itex] and [itex]J=0.[/itex] If we drop in a charged particle of mass [itex]m[/itex] and charge [itex]q[/itex] satisfying [itex]m<q,[/itex] we will destroy the black hole. There is, however, one problem with this. If [itex]m<q,[/itex] the Coulomb electrostatic repulsion on the particle becomes greater than the gravitational attraction. Thus, if we let go of such a particle, it will not fall into the black hole; rather, it will fly away from it! So this doesn't work.

However, we can throw such a particle toward the black hole with great enough speed so that it will go in. But when we do this, we increase the energy of the particle and hence the mass increment it gives to the black hole by just the right amount so that when the black hole captures it, the inequality [itex]M\ge Q[/itex] will be maintained. Thus, the attempt to create a naked singularity fails."

Can you help me understand this? What he's saying is that if the particle is thrown in with kinetic energy [itex]E>q-m[/itex], then the trajectory of the particle takes it into the black hole. The trajectory of the particle wouldn't be a geodesic, because it's being acted on by Coulomb forces. But somehow, if you give the particle this extra kinetic energy, it ends up in the same place as if it had mass [itex]m^\prime=m+E[/itex], and charge [itex]q[/itex]?

Is there some way of making sense of this, so it doesn't look like a strange coincidence?
Laura
 
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lark said:
The trajectory of the particle wouldn't be a geodesic, because it's being acted on by Coulomb forces.

That's correct. But it would still end up inside the hole.

lark said:
But somehow, if you give the particle this extra kinetic energy, it ends up in the same place as if it had mass ##m^\prime=m+E##, and charge ##q##?

I'm not sure what you mean by "in the same place". The trajectories in the two cases won't be the same. But they will both end up inside the hole.
 

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