How is it possible for photons to be trapped inside of black holes if they have no mass?

Because the horizon limit refers to the region for which the speed of light is the fastest means of signaling, and that even at this speed, the signal cannot get out. Every photon carries an equivalent amount of energy...which by general relativity can be affected by gravity...and so massless photons still carry an effective amount of gravitating mass which is then subject to being trapped by the event horizon.


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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