Is There a Connection Between Black Hole Density and Galaxy Size?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter chris2112
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Blackhole Galaxy
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential relationship between the density of black holes and the size of galaxies, exploring whether a correlation exists and the implications of such a relationship within the context of astrophysical theories.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about an exact relationship between galaxy size and black hole density.
  • One participant notes that for large galaxies with bulges, the mass of the black hole is approximately 1/700 of the mass of the bulge, suggesting a possible joint evolution theory, though it remains unexplained.
  • Another participant claims that no firm correlation between galaxy mass and central black hole mass has been established, highlighting that the central black hole masses of Andromeda and the Milky Way are modest compared to larger black holes in similarly massive galaxies.
  • A participant challenges the assertion that all black holes are equally dense, explaining that density is inversely proportional to mass squared, leading to high densities for stellar mass black holes but ordinary densities for supermassive black holes.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the concept of infinite density, suggesting that a working theory of quantum gravity could resolve this issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach consensus, as there are competing views regarding the relationship between black hole density and galaxy size, as well as the nature of black hole density itself.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of defining black hole density and its dependence on mass, as well as the unresolved nature of the relationship between black hole mass and galaxy characteristics.

chris2112
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Is there an exact relationship between the size of a galaxy and the density of its black hole?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
For big galaxies with bulges, the mass (not density) of the black hole is about 1/700 of the mass of the bulge. No one knows why but some kind of joint evolution is the most popular theory.
 
No firm correlation between galaxy and central black hole mass has been established to date. The central black hole masses of Andromeda and our galaxy are quite modest compared to the monster black holes in some similarly massive galaxies. Black hole density, however, is an easier question. All black holes are equally dense.
 
Last edited:
"All black holes are equally dense."
This is not true unless you are thinking of the infinitely dense singularity.
The radius of a black hole is proportional to its mass.
The volume is proportional to its radius cubed.
Therefore its density is inversely proportional to the mass squared.
It is very high for stellar mass black holes, but comparable to ordinary densities for supermassive black holes.
 
Yes, I was thinking about that thing at the center. I do not believe it is infinitely dense, but, so close as not to matter. Infinities suggest the model has broken. When we have a working theory of quantum gravity, the infinite density thing should go away.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
9K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K