Why can gravity escape a black hole but not light?
To escape from within a black hole requires faster than light speeds - so where does that leave gravity?
Asked by: Oisin Peavoy, Dublin
To escape from within a black hole requires faster than light speeds, but according to Einstein's theory of gravity, General Relativity, gravity is the distortion of space and time caused by the presence of mass. As such, gravity doesn't escape from within the interior of the black hole: it's simply caused by the hole's presence. If black holes collide, however, the space-time surrounding them responds by producing ripples known as gravitational waves; but again they aren't 'escaping' from within the black holes.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors
Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University.
Subscription offer
Subscribe and try your first 3 issues for just £5. After your introductory period you will pay just £22.99 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.
