Why does length contraction not cause Black holes?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of length contraction and why it does not create black holes in any reference frame. It is explained that length contraction is due to the relativity of simultaneity, and an object's spacetime curvature is not affected by changes in density or frame of reference. It is also clarified that the electromagnetic and gravitational forces are affected by relative motion, but the source of these forces, such as an object's mass or charge, remains constant.
  • #1
Justice Hunter
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So i was watching this video :



And it got me thinking... i began wondering why, when space contracts from someones frame of reference (In the video, this would be the frame of reference of the cat), why is it that the protons don't become black-holes when the space contracts?

If the density change has an effect on the electro-magnetic force, why would it not have any gravitational effects?

It seems to be contradictory, since from the reference frame of someone stationary, looking at the cat, there is no change in density of the protons in the wire, but instead, we see the cat contract. and we don't see things becoming black holes when moving at or near the speed of light, so i assume that the protons in the wire do not becomes black holes either.

So what is the reason length contraction doesn't create black holes in any reference frame?
 
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  • #2
Length contraction arises because of the relativity of simultanity. So it's not because space itself contracts, but because every observer has it's own notion of 'simultanity', and because spatial length is defined via simultanious events one observes length contraction. The observed object itself doesn't care less about those observers.
 
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  • #3
Justice Hunter said:
why is it that the protons don't become black-holes when the space contracts?

Because whether or not something is a black hole is not frame-dependent. The spacetime curvature an object produces is not due to its "density", which is frame-dependent; it is due to the object's stress-energy tensor, which is covariant. So an object's spacetime curvature doesn't change when you change frames.

Justice Hunter said:
If the density change has an effect on the electro-magnetic force, why would it not have any gravitational effects?

It's not the density change that affects the electromagnetic force; it's relative motion between the source and the object the source is acting on. Also, force is not the same as the source of the force. The EM force between a proton and an electron at rest relative to the proton will be different from the EM force between a proton and an electron moving past the proton at high speed. But the charge on the proton (the ultimate source of its EM force) does not change.

Similarly, the gravitational force between a massive body and an object at rest relative to it is different from the gravitational force between the same body and an object moving past it at high speed. But the body's mass, or more precisely its stress-energy tensor (the ultimate source of its gravitational force), does not change.
 
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Thanks guys i understand now i think!
 

Related to Why does length contraction not cause Black holes?

1. What is length contraction and how does it relate to Black holes?

Length contraction is a phenomenon observed in Einstein's theory of relativity, where objects moving at high speeds appear to become shorter in the direction of their motion. This does not directly relate to Black holes, as length contraction is only applicable in situations where an object is moving at high speeds relative to an observer. Black holes, on the other hand, are objects with extremely strong gravitational forces that cause space and time to warp around them.

2. Can length contraction cause an object to become infinitely small and form a Black hole?

No, length contraction cannot cause an object to become infinitely small and form a Black hole. While length contraction does cause objects to appear shorter, it is limited by the speed of light. The object would never become infinitely small, and therefore cannot form a Black hole.

3. How does the theory of relativity explain why length contraction does not lead to Black holes?

The theory of relativity explains that length contraction is a result of an object's relative velocity, and not its mass. This means that even if an object were to move at the speed of light, it would not become infinitely small and form a Black hole. Additionally, the theory of relativity also explains how gravity affects the fabric of space and time, which is the key factor in the formation of Black holes.

4. Is there any experimental evidence to support the idea that length contraction does not cause Black holes?

Yes, there is ample experimental evidence to support the idea that length contraction does not cause Black holes. The predictions of the theory of relativity, which includes the concept of length contraction, have been extensively tested and proven to be accurate. Additionally, the existence of Black holes has been observed and studied through various astronomical observations and experiments.

5. Can length contraction occur within a Black hole?

No, length contraction cannot occur within a Black hole. This is because the extreme gravitational forces in a Black hole would not allow for any object to move at high speeds. Length contraction is only applicable in situations where an object is moving at high speeds relative to an observer, which is not possible within a Black hole due to its intense gravity.

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