Gravitational waves

Definition

Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime caused by accelerating massive objects, such as colliding black holes or neutron stars. These waves propagate at the speed of light and carry energy away from their source.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gravitational waves were first directly detected by LIGO in 2015.
2. The strongest sources of gravitational waves include binary mergers of black holes and neutron stars.
3. Gravitational waves provide a new way to observe cosmic events that are not detectable through electromagnetic radiation.
4. Their detection helps confirm predictions made by Einstein's theory of general relativity.
5. Gamma-ray bursts, particularly short-duration ones, are often associated with the merger of neutron stars, which also produce gravitational waves.

Review Questions

• What is the primary cause of gravitational waves?
• Which major scientific facility made the first direct detection of gravitational waves?
• How do gravitational waves contribute to our understanding of gamma-ray bursts?

Related terms

LIGO:

Large-scale observatory designed to detect cosmic gravitational waves.

Neutron Star:

A dense stellar remnant left after a supernova explosion.

Gamma-Ray Burst: Intense emission of gamma rays typically linked to catastrophic cosmic events like star mergers or supernovae.