# Tag Info

Accepted

### Why doesn't a black hole have linear momentum?

In relativity the covariant properties are tensors. The linear momentum you are referring to is a 3-vector and therefore is not covariant. In particular its magnitude is not a scalar invariant and ...
• 334k

### Why would black hole rip me apart?

You don't need GR to see this effect. It's due to tidal forces. Suppose you are 2 meters tall. Then the force of the Earth on your feet is $GMm/r^2$, and the force on your head is $GMm/(r+2)^2$. The ...
• 16.9k

### Where does the kinetic energy of the orbiting black holes go after the merger?

The masses used in the gravitational wave analysis are those that the black holes would have had in their own frames in isolation. The best way to think about this is that the given masses of 36 &...
• 38.8k
Accepted

### Why would black hole rip me apart?

The problem is that when you are falling, all of you can't be in the same inertial frame. That is, whilst your centre of mass might be inertial, parts of your body will be feeling accelerating forces ...
• 113k