What happens at r ≤ rS in the Schwarzschild metric?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the validity of the Schwarzschild metric at and below the Schwarzschild radius (##r_S##). Participants explore the implications of this metric in the context of black holes versus stars, examining the nature of the solution in different radial ranges.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the Schwarzschild metric is only valid for ##r > r_S##, suggesting that discussing ##r \leq r_S## is nonsensical due to the absence of a vacuum.
  • Another participant counters that the metric is indeed valid for ##0 < r < r_S##, indicating that the Schwarzschild solution remains a vacuum solution in this range.
  • A further contribution clarifies that while the Schwarzschild solution is a vacuum solution for ##r < r_S##, the nature of the ##r## coordinate changes to time-like rather than space-like in this region.
  • One participant questions the validity of the metric for ##r < r_0##, where ##r_0## is the radius of a star, suggesting that the solution should only apply for ##r > r_0##.
  • Another participant points out that in the case of a black hole, the restrictions associated with a star do not apply.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the discussion pertains specifically to a Schwarzschild black hole, noting that the exterior solution is valid only outside the radius of a star, implying different behavior inside.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the applicability of the Schwarzschild metric at and below the Schwarzschild radius, with multiple competing views on the nature of the solution in these regions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of vacuum and the behavior of the metric in different contexts (black holes versus stars), as well as the implications of coordinate changes at various radial distances.

Tio Barnabe
If the Schwarzschild metric is, by construction, valid for ##r > r_S##, where ##r_S## is the Schwarzschild radius, so it does not make sense to talk about what happens at ##r \leq r_S##, because there will be no vacuum anymore. What am I getting wrong?
 
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The first part is wrong. It is valid for ## 0 < r < r_S ## as well.
 
The Schwarzschild solution is a vacuum solution also for ##r < r_S## (for ##r = r_S## the Schwarzschild coordinates are singular and not well suited to describe the Schwarzschild space-time). However, for ##r < r_S##, the ##r## coordinate is time-like and not space-like.
 
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How can it be? It is a vacuum metric. If a star has radius ##r_0##, then the solution is valid only for ##r > r_0##, and the range of ##r## would be restricted to ##r_0 < r < \infty##.
 
And if you don't have a star but a black hole, then there is no problem.
 
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We are talking about a Schwarzschild black hole, not a star.

If you have an actual star, the exterior Schwarzschild solution is only valid outside the star's radius. Inside the star's radius you would have a different behaviour of the metric.
 
Oh, I got it.
 

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