What would happen when Blackholes Collide?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of two supermassive black holes colliding, focusing on the dynamics of their interaction, the nature of spacetime during the event, and the aftermath of such a collision. Participants explore both theoretical implications and specific conditions of the merger process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that two supermassive black holes would initially orbit each other before colliding, producing gravitational waves in the process.
  • Others challenge the assumption of orbital motion, suggesting that a direct collision could be more probable due to their immense gravitational attraction.
  • One participant asserts that after the collision, the black holes would merge, while another emphasizes the need to consider the mass and energy lost as radiation during the merger.
  • There is a discussion about whether the outcome of the merger depends on the masses of the black holes involved.
  • Participants express differing views on the relationship between gravitational attraction and orbital motion, referencing analogies such as the Earth and the Moon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the black holes would orbit each other or collide directly, indicating a disagreement on the dynamics of their interaction. The discussion also remains unresolved regarding the specifics of mass and energy loss during the merger.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention assumptions about the initial conditions of the black holes, such as being uncharged and nonrotating, and the implications of these assumptions on the outcomes discussed. The relationship between gravitational forces and orbital mechanics is also a point of contention.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying astrophysics, gravitational physics, or anyone curious about the dynamics of black hole interactions and the implications for spacetime.

suchal
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What would happen to the spacetime fabric when two super massive black holes collide. I know that they would orbit each other and the would produce gravitational waves.
 
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Why do you assume they would orbit each other? Can you not envision a situation in which they come pretty much straight at each other? Give that each would have enormous gravitational attraction, doesn't a collision seem more likely than orbiting?
 
phinds said:
Why do you assume they would orbit each other? Can you not envision a situation in which they come pretty much straight at each other? Give that each would have enormous gravitational attraction, doesn't a collision seem more likely than orbiting?

They WOULD orbit each other and would get near to each other until they finally collide, but this would be in a fraction of a millisecond. I am confirm about it as i have read it from a very authentic source but after the collision what would happen is a big question.
 
No it's not. After the collision they would merge.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
No it's not. After the collision they would merge.

Expanding on the subject of this thread. If we take the most simple scenario of two (uncharged, nonrotating) black holes of the same mass falling in towards each other with no angular momentum. How much of the original mass/energy of the black holes will be left in the combined black hole after the merger and how much mass/energy will be lost in the form of radiation? We assume that the two holes are falling in towards each other from being initally at rest with respect to each other and located (infinitely) far away from each other.

Does the answer depend on the masses of the two black holes?
 
Last edited:
Vanadium 50 said:
No it's not. After the collision they would merge.
Yes they would but their gravity WILL cause them to orbit each other. otherwise the gravity of sun does not attract us but keep is in orbit, rotating not falling in that. We would only fall when the spacetime fabric is curve enough. This can be seen from equations of gravity, like moon orbits Earth but the apple from tree falls to earth.
And as agerhell has said some energy/mass would be lost as gamma radiation.


Agerhell said:
Does the answer depend on the masses of the two black holes?
yes it does depend on their mass but my question is about spacetime fabric not about them or their mass/energy.
 
Are you asking a question or answering it?
 

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