An analysis of the LIGO discovery based on Introductory Physics
arXiv:1609.09349 · doi:10.1119/1.4985727
Abstract
Binary black hole mergers are analyzed using concepts from introductory physics. Drawing upon Newtonian mechanics, dimensional considerations, and analogies between gravitational and electromagnetic waves, we are able to explain the principal features of LIGO's data and make order of magnitude estimates of key parameters of the event by inspection of the data. Our estimates of the black hole masses, the distance to the event, the initial separation of the pair, and the stupendous total amount of energy radiated are all in good agreement with the best fit values of these parameters obtained by the LIGO-VIRGO collaboration.
arXiv commentUpdated version matches journal version. Similar to analysis in 1608.01940
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