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An analysis of the LIGO discovery based on introductory physics.

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Title: An analysis of the LIGO discovery based on introductory physics.
Authors: Mathur, Harsh1, Brown, Katherine2, Lowenstein, Ashton2
Source: American Journal of Physics. Sep2017, Vol. 85 Issue 9, p676-682. 7p.
Subjects: Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, Binary black holes, Electromagnetic waves, Gravitational waves, Mechanics (Physics)
Abstract: By observing gravitational radiation from a binary black hole merger, the LIGO collaboration has simultaneously opened a new window on the universe and achieved the first direct detection of gravitational waves. Here this discovery is 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: An analysis of the LIGO discovery based on introductory physics.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Laser+Interferometer+Gravitational-Wave+Observatory%22">Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Binary+black+holes%22">Binary black holes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electromagnetic+waves%22">Electromagnetic waves</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gravitational+waves%22">Gravitational waves</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mechanics+%28Physics%29%22">Mechanics (Physics)</searchLink>
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  Data: By observing gravitational radiation from a binary black hole merger, the LIGO collaboration has simultaneously opened a new window on the universe and achieved the first direct detection of gravitational waves. Here this discovery is 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1119/1.4985727
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 7
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      – SubjectFull: Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Binary black holes
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      – SubjectFull: Electromagnetic waves
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      – SubjectFull: Gravitational waves
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      – SubjectFull: Mechanics (Physics)
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              Text: Sep2017
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