What is the average mass a black hole consumes

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the average mass consumed by black holes over various time frames (daily, weekly, yearly). It explores the complexities and variables involved in understanding black hole consumption rates, touching on theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that no definitive figures exist for the average mass a black hole consumes due to the vast range of black hole masses and the different environments in which they exist.
  • One participant emphasizes that black holes do not act as vacuum cleaners, suggesting that they only consume matter if it is available nearby, such as from a companion star.
  • Another participant argues that the mass a black hole consumes is dependent on its accretion disc and the random nature of matter falling into its event horizon, indicating that time cannot be used as a reliable measure for consumption rates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the consumption of mass by black holes is highly variable and context-dependent, with no consensus on specific average rates due to differing conditions and misconceptions about black hole behavior.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in predicting black hole mass consumption due to the dependence on various factors, including the presence of nearby matter and the nature of the accretion process.

rubecuber
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
what is the average mass a black hole consumes daily/weekly/yearly,
rubecuber,
Merry Christmas
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
No such figures are known. Black holes throughout the universe can have masses ranging over many orders of magnitude, and can exist in many different circumstances (in the core of a galaxy, or out in the "suburbs" near the edge, for example). There are too many factors involved to give an answer to this question.

- Warren
 
Just to make sure we're not looking at a common misconception, black holes aren't cosmic vacuum cleaners, sweeping up any matter anywhere near them. Gravitationally, from a short distance away, they behave like any other massive object (such as the star they were formed from). So unless they happen to have a source of matter nearby (such as a companion red dwarf that is blowing off its outer layers), they won't necessarily consume anything after they form.
 
rubecuber said:
what is the average mass a black hole consumes daily/weekly/yearly,
rubecuber,
Merry Christmas

it depends upon the acreetion disc of a black hole. black hole takes in matter due to which its event horizon increases and the mass increases too. so it depends upon which or what or when matter falls in its event horizon. we cannot predict it according to time as daily/weekly/monthly because time stops at the eventhorizon. it is basically disorder which takes place randomly.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can there be slowly-falling accretion disks in black holes?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Stargazing Merger of two black holes (video)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
High School Gravitational effects of a small black hole passing your body
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
High School What is the actual shape of black holes?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Confusion regarding black hole spin
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
High School I Need Help on Understanding Some Basic Astrophysics / Sand Clock Universe
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
High School Ultramassive Black Hole (UMB), 30 billion solar masses?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad The initial density of an object and its compression into a black hole
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
Undergrad What affects light near black holes and stars?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Black holes: merged remnants have similar spin - why?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K