If our sun collapsed into
a black hole (not really a
possibility), what would
happen to Earth's orbit?
Would it...
(a) Begin to spiral inward?
(b) Continue to orbit normally?
(c) Leave in a straight line,
tangent to the old orbit?
2007-01-23 01:20:50 · 10 answers · asked by Andrew P 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
(b) If the mass of the Sun does not change, then gravity at any point outside the PRESENT surface of the Sun will not change at all. The only difference would be the ability to get closer than before to the center of mass of the Sun without going below the surface. The weird relativity effects only occur at places which before the collapse were deep inside the Sun.
2007-01-23 01:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B) Continue to orbit normally.
Warning: the following is Newtonian Physics only (which works if you're far enough away from the sun, such as the Earth's Orbit).
Gravitational pull is a function of mass (the earth's and the sun's) and distance only.
If the sun collapses into a black hole, it doesn't gain mass. The mass it has is simply taking up a smaller volume. The Earth's Mass does change, and the distance between the Earth and Sun's do not change. Therefore, there is no change in Earth's orbit.
2007-01-23 03:46:07 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B) proceed to orbit generally. caution: it is Newtonian Physics purely (which suits once you're a techniques adequate faraway from the solar, such because of the fact the Earth's Orbit). Gravitational pull is a function of mass (the earth's and the solar's) and distance purely. If the solar collapses right into a black hollow, it does not benefit mass. The mass it has is purely taking over a smaller volume. The Earth's Mass does substitute, and the gap between the Earth and solar's do no longer substitute. hence, there is no substitute in Earth's orbit.
2016-11-01 02:00:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sun collapsing into a black hole is a very real possibility since that is exactly how black holes are formed, and if it happened the gravity of the black hole would be thousands of times stonger than the suns so the earth would be very rapidly sucked in!
So the answer is A
2007-01-23 01:39:05 · answer #4 · answered by wyzrdofahs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the sun collapsed into a black hole, we would have been LONG gone... Because it would have first expanded outward into a Red Giant and we would have more than likely been either engulfed or burnt to a crisp long before we had to worry about the orbit...
but to chose one of your answers, I think (a) is the most likely answer.
2007-01-23 01:27:47 · answer #5 · answered by doctor_76 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The sun is not big enough to collapse into a Black Hole
2007-01-23 01:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
since the sun would be a black hole so earths orbit would change into a spiral inward towards sun because of its high gravity.
2007-01-23 01:25:51 · answer #7 · answered by divas 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think if the sun is collapsed into a black hole...it'l be powerful enough to take in all the panet we til now have discovered(explored).
2007-01-23 01:34:45 · answer #8 · answered by tonima 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B since the mass would still be the same. But the question would become mute, as we wouldn't be around to experience it for long...
2007-01-23 01:31:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont know really. sounds scarry huh, all around darkness
2007-01-23 01:26:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋