Black hole falling time for external observer

In summary, it takes pi*m time to go from rest at the surface of a Schwarzschild black hole to the singularity. However, for an external observer at infinity, the time has already gone to infinity by the time the object reaches the horizon, and there is no way to correspond the time it takes to fall to the singularity to external time.
  • #1
keithdow
29
1
It is well know that it takes pi*m time to go from rest at the surface of a Schwarzschild black to the singularity. How much time does an external observer at infinity experience then in that time? How do I show it?
 
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  • #2
Hm, well in the first place you cannot "start from rest" from the Schwarzschild surface, since it is a null surface. Only an outward going null geodesic can be at rest there, and any timelike curve will cross it with a nonzero inward velocity.

The external time has already gone to plus infinity when you reach the Schwarzschild surface. The inside is a different coordinate patch, in which the radial coordinate r has become the timelike coordinate. So whatever "time" it takes to fall from the horizon to the singularity, there is no way to correspond it to external time.
 

FAQ: Black hole falling time for external observer

1. How long does it take for a black hole to fall for an external observer?

The falling time for a black hole depends on the mass and distance of the observer from the black hole. Generally, for a non-rotating black hole, the falling time for an external observer is infinite, as the observer will never actually reach the event horizon due to time dilation. However, for a rotating black hole, the falling time can be significantly reduced.

2. Can the falling time for an external observer be measured?

No, the falling time for an external observer cannot be measured as it is infinite for a non-rotating black hole. Even for a rotating black hole, it is difficult to measure due to the extreme gravitational effects near the event horizon.

3. How does the falling time for an external observer differ from the falling time for an object inside the black hole?

The falling time for an object inside a black hole is different from an external observer because the object is experiencing the strong gravitational pull of the black hole, while the external observer is not. This means that the object will fall faster towards the singularity compared to an external observer.

4. Does the size or shape of a black hole affect the falling time for an external observer?

Yes, the size and shape of a black hole can affect the falling time for an external observer. For example, a more massive black hole will have a stronger gravitational pull, resulting in a longer falling time for an external observer. Additionally, a rotating black hole can have a shorter falling time due to the effects of frame dragging.

5. Is there a maximum falling time for an external observer for a black hole?

No, there is no maximum falling time for an external observer for a black hole. As long as the black hole exists, the falling time for an external observer will continue to increase, approaching infinity for a non-rotating black hole. This is due to the extreme gravitational effects near the event horizon, which cause time to slow down significantly.

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