What happens when a black hole is a certain size?

In summary, the size or mass of a black hole determines where tidal forces will rip an object apart if it falls into the black hole. If the black hole is small, this will happen outside the event horizon, and if it is large, it will happen inside.
  • #1
DARTZ
12
0
Okay, I am new here and I guess you could say I am a little new to Einsteins theory of relativity, but I am trying so bear with me here.

Okay, I remember reading somewhere that the size (not mass) of a black hole makes a difference of what happens when your getting sucked in theoretically speaking. If the black hole is a certain size you will get pulled in differently. Can someone please explain this phenomenon to me?

Thank you!
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

Hi DARTZ! Welcome to PF! :wink:
DARTZ said:
Okay, I remember reading somewhere that the size (not mass) of a black hole makes a difference of what happens when your getting sucked in theoretically speaking. If the black hole is a certain size you will get pulled in differently.

No, size and mass are the same thing: the size of a black hole is uniquely determined by its mass: R = 2Gm/c2. :smile:

(also, black holes have no "sucky-power": you orbit or crash in the same way that you orbit or crash into an ordinary star or planet)
 
  • #3
DARTZ said:
If the black hole is a certain size you will get pulled in differently.

If you fall into a (non-rotating, uncharged) black hole, your body will get ripped apart by tidal forces, and where this happens depends on the size of the black hole. If the black hole is small enough, this happen outside (the event horizon of) the black hole; If the black hole is large enough, this happens inside (the event horizon of) the black hole.

As tiny-tim has noted, black hole size and mass are related.
 

FAQ: What happens when a black hole is a certain size?

What is a black hole?

A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape from it. It is formed when a massive star collapses in on itself.

How big are black holes?

Black holes can range in size from a few miles to billions of times the mass of our sun. The size of a black hole is determined by its mass, with larger black holes having a stronger gravitational pull.

Can we see black holes?

No, we cannot directly see black holes because they do not emit any light. However, we can observe the effects of black holes on their surrounding environment, such as the distortion of light and the movement of nearby objects.

Are black holes dangerous?

Black holes are not dangerous to us unless we get too close to them. The gravitational pull of a black hole is only strong enough to affect objects that come within a certain distance, known as the event horizon.

Can anything escape from a black hole?

No, nothing can escape from a black hole once it has passed the event horizon. This is because the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape, making it impossible for any object to escape once it has crossed the event horizon.

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