Two Black Holes: Reactions and Behavior

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interactions and behaviors of two black holes when they come close to each other. Participants explore various scenarios regarding their gravitational effects, potential merging, and orbital dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the primary effect of two nearby black holes will be gravitational, leading to potential outcomes such as collision, merging, or entering into an orbit.
  • One participant argues that if the black holes pass near each other slowly enough, they may enter a mutual orbit that decays over time due to gravitational radiation, eventually resulting in a merger.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the possibility of a stable orbit, stating that any orbit would decay due to gravitational radiation, leading to a merger.
  • There is a suggestion that merging black holes would create a more powerful black hole due to the combined mass, raising questions about conditions for an "explosion," although it is noted that black holes cannot explode.
  • A later reply mentions that many galaxies contain supermassive black holes at their centers, which may relate to the discussion of merging black holes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that gravitational effects will dominate the interactions between two black holes, but there is disagreement regarding the possibility of stable orbits and the conditions under which merging occurs. The discussion remains unresolved on several points.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions for merging and the nature of black hole interactions are not fully explored, and the discussion does not clarify the specific mechanics of gravitational radiation or the criteria for an "explosion."

KnowPhysics
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What will happen if two black holes are coming nearby? what will be the reaction (change in behavior)?
 
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The major effect will that of gravity. They may collide and merge. The may lock into some sort of orbit around each other. They may just pass with some change in direction.
 
Last edited:
If they pass near one another slowly enough, then they will enter into a mutual orbit that gradually decays through gravitational radiation, eventually merging into one, larger black hole. The probability of them colliding straight away is so small as to be negligible.
 
mathman said:
The major effect will that of gravity. They may collide and merge. The may lock into some sort of orbit around each other. They may just pass with some change in direction.

I don't think it's possible for a stable orbit to occur. The orbit will always decay due to gravitational radiation, leading to a merger.
 
ok. even i thought same both will merge and create more powerful black hole(High gravity) because of higher mass. here arise another question when it will explode? any specific condition?
 
KnowPhysics said:
ok. even i thought same both will merge and create more powerful black hole(High gravity) because of higher mass. here arise another question when it will explode? any specific condition?
Black holes can't explode.
 
At the center of most (if not all) galaxies are block holes with masses many millions time that of the sun.
 

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