Suppose a quasar is shining with a luminosity L. What is the approximate minimal mass of the black hole? (If the black hole had a lower mass than this, the pressure in the material would overcome the gravity of the black hole and the material would be blown apart.) Give your answer in solar masses, in scientific notation to one significant figure (no decimal places). Value: L=1×10^12Lsun​ Suppose the quasar in the previous problem is 10% efficient at turning rest mass into energetic photons, according to Einstein's equation E=mc2. What is the necessary rate of accretion of mass onto this black hole, to sustain its luminosity of 1* 1012 solar luminosities -- i.e. how much mass must be 'fed' to this black hole to keep the AGN shining so brightly?   Give your response in units of solar masses of material per year, with one decimal place.

Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
14th Edition
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Chapter14: Neutron Stars And Black Holes
Section: Chapter Questions
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Suppose a quasar is shining with a luminosity L.  What is the approximate minimal mass of the black hole?  (If the black hole had a lower mass than this, the pressure in the material would overcome the gravity of the black hole and the material would be blown apart.) Give your answer in solar masses, in scientific notation to one significant figure (no decimal places).

Value:

L=1×10^12Lsun​

Suppose the quasar in the previous problem is 10% efficient at turning rest mass into energetic photons, according to Einstein's equation E=mc2.  What is the necessary rate of accretion of mass onto this black hole, to sustain its luminosity of 1* 1012 solar luminosities -- i.e. how much mass must be 'fed' to this black hole to keep the AGN shining so brightly?

 

Give your response in units of solar masses of material per year, with one decimal place.

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