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Are these processes gravitationally mediated, like tidal energy transfer?
by wyager 9y ago
Are these processes gravitationally mediated, like tidal energy transfer?
- AlanSE 9y agoBinary systems radiate out gravitational waves. Google image search for "binary system gravitational waves" and you will pretty easily identify the canonical graphical representation. While there are lots of problems with the "sheet" analogy for general relativity, there is still value in considering gravitational radiation to be waves in the sheet. From a layman perspective, the analogy is irresistible. The mental picture of the spiraling-in process is pretty easy to grasp, but the process of gravitational capture is a little more difficult. Gravitational radiation is extremely dependent on the distance of the mutual orbit, so the inward spiral progresses rapidly at short distances, but can take a very long time at greater distances. So I imagine the research comes down to the general statistics of the formation of binary systems, how often they will involve a neutron star with a black hole, and how often they form at distances close enough to create the collision.
- jessriedel 9y agoThis only works when the bodies are very close together, right before they coalesce. For most of the lifetime of binary BHs and NSs, the gravitational radiation is negligible.
- jessriedel 9y agoYes, mostly, but it takes the form of significant gravitational wave emission only when the bodies are very close together. (Much less than an AU, I think, although don't quote me on that.) For larger distances, it's mostly a matter of ejecting dust and other matter in the vacinity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamical_friction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamical_friction