Question about speed of light and black holes

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the speed of light and black holes, specifically addressing why light cannot escape a black hole's gravitational pull. It is established that the speed of light is indeed the fastest speed in the universe; however, the extreme curvature of space-time caused by a black hole's mass leads to a scenario where light cannot escape once it crosses the event horizon. The concept of black holes is clarified as not merely a "suction" force but rather a distortion of space-time that traps light and matter within its gravitational influence.

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  • Understanding of general relativity and space-time curvature
  • Familiarity with the concept of black holes and event horizons
  • Knowledge of the speed of light as a universal constant
  • Basic principles of gravitational forces in astrophysics
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  • Research the mathematical framework of general relativity and its implications for black holes
  • Explore the concept of event horizons and their significance in astrophysics
  • Investigate the properties of light in strong gravitational fields
  • Study the effects of space-time curvature on light trajectories
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Astronomy students, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of black holes and the nature of light in extreme gravitational environments.

Nexus555
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Hello, this is my first post! I cannot say I am a physicist in any way, however my dream is to go back to college for Astronomy. Anyways I have a question concerning the idea of the speed of light and black holes.

In the laws of physics, it states that the speed of light is the fastest known (and mathematically known) speed in the universe. How is it that speed cannot escape the pull of a black hole? Am I just thinking of the concept of a black hole wrong? Is it a gravitational suction that is pulling matter into it, or is the gravity collapsing just bending the fabric of space into itself which then wouldn't matter of speed? Basically, if the speed of light is the fastest force, shouldn't it easily escape the speed at which a black hole pulls, or a black hole doesn't nessesarily pull things in at a certain speed, it just bends space deeper and wider causing what's in it's way to be forced into it?

And if it does "suck" things in it, wouldn't the suction of a black hole be the fastest speed, since light cannot escape it's "pull?"

Thanks in advanced!
 
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The space-time curvature of a black hole past the event horizon causes all incomming and outgoing light rays to converge towards the center of the black hole ( the singularity).
 

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