<p>Radiating gravitational waves makes an inspralling binary orbit closer and faster. (Rob Jefferies)</p>

<p>The source of the energy for both increased kinetic energy, and the gravitational radiation is the same: gravitational potential energy. (PM 2Ring)</p>

<p>Two black holes at a distance of 1 light year have a huge amount of potential energy, about 10^48 Joules of potential energy. As they spiral, a significant amount of that energy is radiated as gravitational waves</p>

<p>This is real mass lost. The mass of resulting black hole is smaller than the sum of the two merging black holes, though at no point does any black hole itself become smaller.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T20:37:54.160Z
Thanks for the answer, I want to understand what I am missing here: 1) neither BH loses any mass 2) Energy from GW comes from potential / kinetic energy 3) resulting BH is still smaller than sum of merging BHs; even though they both retain their original mass and still must have some (probably quite close to c!) velocity by the time they merge, so there must be still lots of kinetic energy, which should contribute to the mass of resulting BH (since net movement/momentum from orbiting objects is zero?).
tuomas
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-15T22:17:14.123Z
How do you arrive at $10^{48}$ Joules?
Walter
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T06:33:22.693Z
I find the orbital energy conversion easy to grasp, but "This is real mass lost" loses me. Is this "matter"? If so, what is the process for "mass lost"? For now, it seems like a throw away line in this answer without any qualification, yet.
Kind Contributor
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-06-15T13:44:53.450Z
This is real mass, not "matter",  Mass and Energy are equivalent (via E=mc²) So the potential "energy" that two bodies have when they are separated from each other is "mass". If this "energy" leaves the system (for example if it is converted to radiated electromagnetic or gravitational waves) then that is a reduction in "mass".  Mass means Energy, not "matter".
James K
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T19:00:50.610Z
2017-06-11T19:00:50.610Z
James K
<p>As Rob correctly pointed out, the emission of gravitational waves reduces the orbital energy and result in an inspiral. This reduction in total energy also reduces the mass of the final BH, since $E=mc^2$. The bulk of the gravitational wave energy is emitted (and energy=mass lost) in the final chirp, when the separation approaches the Schwarzschild radius.</p>

<p>To quantify this, let's just make a simple energy budget calculation, starting from two equal-mass BHs of mass $M_\bullet$ orbiting each other at distance $d$ on a circular orbit. Then the orbital energy is
$$
  E_{\mathrm{orbit}} = -\frac{GM^2_\bullet}{2d} = -M_\bullet c^2 \frac{R_s}{4d} 
$$
where $R_s=2GM/c^2$ the Schwarzschild radius of each BH and we have assumed that $d\gg R_s$ such that the orbit is Keplerian. The total initial energy is then given by the rest mass energies plus the orbital energy as
$$
  E_{\mathrm{total}} = M_\bullet c^2 \left[2-\frac{R_s}{4d}\right].
$$
After coalescence, a remnant of mass $M_{r}$ emerges. The energy deficit is the difference between the initial and final energies
\begin{equation}
  \delta E = M_\bullet c^2 \left[2-\frac{R_s}{4d}\right] - \frac{M_rc^2}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}},
\end{equation}
where $v$ is the speed of the remnant w.r.t. to the centre of mass of the progenitors. This energy has been lost by gravitational wave radiation. If this corresponds to a certain amount $\mu$ of rest mass, then from
$
  \delta E = \mu c^2
$
we find 
$$
  M_r = \sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}\left[2M_\bullet -\mu - M_\bullet\frac{R_s}{4d}\right].
$$
Now for $v=0$ and $R_s\ll d$, the mass deficit $\delta m\equiv 2M_\bullet-M_r$ is identical to $\mu$: the radiated energy corresponds to the mass deficit; the final hole has 95$M_\odot$ if $M_\bullet=50M_\odot$ and $\mu=5M_\odot$. In particular, the gravitational wave energy cannot be taken merely from the orbital energy as suggested by another answer.</p>

<p>The mass deficit is even larger than the radiated energy if the remnant has undergone a considerable velocity kick, such that $v\neq0$ (caused by asymmetric gravitational wave radiation).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-13T11:16:59.633Z
"In particular, the gravitational wave energy cannot be taken merely from the orbital energy as suggested by another answer." - where else could it come from then? Atomic mass from the singularity?
Kind Contributor
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-13T20:14:20.347Z
@Todd As I said: from the rest mass energy ($mc^2$) of the holes.
Walter
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T06:30:17.923Z
Is that basically "matter"? It's hard to find a definition of "rest mass" online. Also, if it is "matter", is there a known process for how this occurs? or, is it more of an "effect" than a physical conversion of "matter" to gravitational wave energy?
Kind Contributor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-15T23:14:41.693Z
2017-06-15T23:26:31.370Z
2017-06-15T23:26:31.370Z
Walter
<p>Two black holes starting far apart have gravitational masses <span class="math-container">$M_1$</span> and <span class="math-container">$M_2$</span> (i.e. the masses you would put into the formulae for their Schwarzschild radii).</p>
<p>When they merge they form a black hole with <span class="math-container">$M &lt; M_1 + M_2$</span>. The difference is radiated away in the form of gravitational waves.</p>
<p><span class="math-container">$M_1$</span> and <span class="math-container">$M_2$</span> are &quot;rest masses&quot; and don't change during the inspiral, though it may not make sense to talk about the &quot;mass of each black hole&quot; once they get close together, since they are no longer governed by the simple Kerr metric. The system mass <span class="math-container">$M$</span> will get smaller as the black holes get closer together. See the discussion  <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_in_general_relativity" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
<p>Gravitational potential energy is turned into the kinetic energy of the black holes. The sum of their potential energy and kinetic energy is negative, as it is for any bound system, and since the orbit started with the black holes far apart with essentially zero potential + kinetic energy again, the difference is accounted for by the radiation of gravitational waves. The total mass/energy of the system has decreased.</p>
<p>For black holes there is no distinction between different kinds of mass and energy, they have only mass, spin and charge. In particular they do not have a baryon number. No particles are emitted and no matter is lost from the merging system, only gravitational waves.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-21T15:47:01.160Z
2023-06-21T15:47:01.160Z
ProfRob
<p>As far as I understand, in the events detected by LIGO, about 4% of the total mass of merging binary black holes was converted to gravitational waves. </p>

<p>Where does this energy come from, i.e. what exactly gets converted into gravitational waves? </p>

<p>Is it simply the kinetic energy of the merging objects (velocities of these objects before merger are huge, up to 60% of c if I recall correctly), so does it mean emitting gravitational waves makes them orbit slower, but retain their original masses? Or do the compact objects really lose "real" mass, meaning they become lighter and in case of BHs their radius changes accordingly? </p>

<p>As an example, let's assume two BHs, both with 50 solar masses, orbiting each other far enough (say 1 light year) so that GWs nor kinetic energy has no significance to these initial mass measurements. During the merge, they should radiate about 5 solar masses in GWs. Would the resulting black hole have mass of 95 or 100 solar masses?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-10T19:25:16.647Z
Radiating gravitational waves makes an inspralling binary  orbit closer and faster of course.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-10T19:38:35.100Z
I edited my question slightly to reflect my intention. I do understand that GWs are the cause and essentially only mechanism that allows two BHs to eventually merge. I want to understand how this affects the resulting mass of the object.
tuomas
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T02:09:04.133Z
It comes from the same source that the BHs' increased kinetic energy comes from as they fall towards each other: gravitational potential energy.
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T13:49:48.280Z
should it be "from whence..."
Fattie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-11T13:51:02.723Z
"Would the resulting black hole have mass of 95 or 100 solar masses?" it's a good question!
Fattie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-15T22:13:56.457Z
The resulting BH will have 95 $M_\odot$, of course.
Walter
<black-hole><gravitational-waves>
From where does the energy for gravitational waves come from?
tuomas
# From where does the energy for gravitational waves come from?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-10)

As far as I understand, in the events detected by LIGO, about 4% of the total mass of merging binary black holes was converted to gravitational waves.

Where does this energy come from, i.e. what exactly gets converted into gravitational waves?

Is it simply the kinetic energy of the merging objects (velocities of these objects before merger are huge, up to 60% of c if I recall correctly), so does it mean emitting gravitational waves makes them orbit slower, but retain their original masses? Or do the compact objects really lose "real" mass, meaning they become lighter and in case of BHs their radius changes accordingly?

As an example, let's assume two BHs, both with 50 solar masses, orbiting each other far enough (say 1 light year) so that GWs nor kinetic energy has no significance to these initial mass measurements. During the merge, they should radiate about 5 solar masses in GWs. Would the resulting black hole have mass of 95 or 100 solar masses?

**Tags:** black-hole, gravitational-waves

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Radiating gravitational waves makes an inspralling binary  orbit closer and faster of course.  
> **username_0**: I edited my question slightly to reflect my intention. I do understand that GWs are the cause and essentially only mechanism that allows two BHs to eventually merge. I want to understand how this affects the resulting mass of the object.  
> **username_2**: It comes from the same source that the BHs' increased kinetic energy comes from as they fall towards each other: gravitational potential energy.  
> **username_3**: should it be "from whence..."  
> **username_3**: "Would the resulting black hole have mass of 95 or 100 solar masses?" it's a good question!  
> **username_4**: The resulting BH will have 95 $M_\odot$, of course.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-06-21. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Two black holes starting far apart have gravitational masses $M\_1$ and $M\_2$ (i.e. the masses you would put into the formulae for their Schwarzschild radii).

When they merge they form a black hole with $M < M\_1 + M\_2$. The difference is radiated away in the form of gravitational waves.

$M\_1$ and $M\_2$ are "rest masses" and don't change during the inspiral, though it may not make sense to talk about the "mass of each black hole" once they get close together, since they are no longer governed by the simple Kerr metric. The system mass $M$ will get smaller as the black holes get closer together. See the discussion [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_in_general_relativity).

Gravitational potential energy is turned into the kinetic energy of the black holes. The sum of their potential energy and kinetic energy is negative, as it is for any bound system, and since the orbit started with the black holes far apart with essentially zero potential + kinetic energy again, the difference is accounted for by the radiation of gravitational waves. The total mass/energy of the system has decreased.

For black holes there is no distinction between different kinds of mass and energy, they have only mass, spin and charge. In particular they do not have a baryon number. No particles are emitted and no matter is lost from the merging system, only gravitational waves.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-06-11. Score: 9

Radiating gravitational waves makes an inspralling binary orbit closer and faster. (Rob Jefferies)

The source of the energy for both increased kinetic energy, and the gravitational radiation is the same: gravitational potential energy. (PM username_2)

Two black holes at a distance of 1 light year have a huge amount of potential energy, about 10^48 Joules of potential energy. As they spiral, a significant amount of that energy is radiated as gravitational waves

This is real mass lost. The mass of resulting black hole is smaller than the sum of the two merging black holes, though at no point does any black hole itself become smaller.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for the answer, I want to understand what I am missing here: 1) neither BH loses any mass 2) Energy from GW comes from potential / kinetic energy 3) resulting BH is still smaller than sum of merging BHs; even though they both retain their original mass and still must have some (probably quite close to c!) velocity by the time they merge, so there must be still lots of kinetic energy, which should contribute to the mass of resulting BH (since net movement/momentum from orbiting objects is zero?).  
> **username_4**: How do you arrive at $10^{48}$ Joules?  
> **username_6**: I find the orbital energy conversion easy to grasp, but "This is real mass lost" loses me. Is this "matter"? If so, what is the process for "mass lost"? For now, it seems like a throw away line in this answer without any qualification, yet.  
> **username_5**: This is real mass, not "matter",  Mass and Energy are equivalent (via E=mc²) So the potential "energy" that two bodies have when they are separated from each other is "mass". If this "energy" leaves the system (for example if it is converted to radiated electromagnetic or gravitational waves) then that is a reduction in "mass".  Mass means Energy, not "matter".  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-06-15. Score: 3

As Rob correctly pointed out, the emission of gravitational waves reduces the orbital energy and result in an inspiral. This reduction in total energy also reduces the mass of the final BH, since $E=mc^2$. The bulk of the gravitational wave energy is emitted (and energy=mass lost) in the final chirp, when the separation approaches the Schwarzschild radius.

To quantify this, let's just make a simple energy budget calculation, starting from two equal-mass BHs of mass $M\_\bullet$ orbiting each other at distance $d$ on a circular orbit. Then the orbital energy is
$$
E\_{\mathrm{orbit}} = -\frac{GM^2\_\bullet}{2d} = -M\_\bullet c^2 \frac{R\_s}{4d}
$$
where $R\_s=2GM/c^2$ the Schwarzschild radius of each BH and we have assumed that $d\gg R\_s$ such that the orbit is Keplerian. The total initial energy is then given by the rest mass energies plus the orbital energy as
$$
E\_{\mathrm{total}} = M\_\bullet c^2 \left[2-\frac{R\_s}{4d}\right].
$$
After coalescence, a remnant of mass $M\_{r}$ emerges. The energy deficit is the difference between the initial and final energies
\begin{equation}
\delta E = M\_\bullet c^2 \left[2-\frac{R\_s}{4d}\right] - \frac{M\_rc^2}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}},
\end{equation}
where $v$ is the speed of the remnant w.r.t. to the centre of mass of the progenitors. This energy has been lost by gravitational wave radiation. If this corresponds to a certain amount $\mu$ of rest mass, then from
$
\delta E = \mu c^2
$
we find
$$
M\_r = \sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}\left[2M\_\bullet -\mu - M\_\bullet\frac{R\_s}{4d}\right].
$$
Now for $v=0$ and $R\_s\ll d$, the mass deficit $\delta m\equiv 2M\_\bullet-M\_r$ is identical to $\mu$: the radiated energy corresponds to the mass deficit; the final hole has 95$M\_\odot$ if $M\_\bullet=50M\_\odot$ and $\mu=5M\_\odot$. In particular, the gravitational wave energy cannot be taken merely from the orbital energy as suggested by another answer.

The mass deficit is even larger than the radiated energy if the remnant has undergone a considerable velocity kick, such that $v\neq0$ (caused by asymmetric gravitational wave radiation).

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: "In particular, the gravitational wave energy cannot be taken merely from the orbital energy as suggested by another answer." - where else could it come from then? Atomic mass from the singularity?  
> **username_4**: @Todd As I said: from the rest mass energy ($mc^2$) of the holes.  
> **username_6**: Is that basically "matter"? It's hard to find a definition of "rest mass" online. Also, if it is "matter", is there a known process for how this occurs? or, is it more of an "effect" than a physical conversion of "matter" to gravitational wave energy?  

---

