Schwarzschild metric
type: Concept
narrower: Schwarzschild radius

Schwarzschild radius
type: Concept
definition: The critical radius at which a massive body becomes a black hole, i.e., at which light is unable to escape to infinity: R_s = 2GM / c^2, where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass, and c the speed of light. The formula can be approximated to R_s ≅ 3 x (M/M_sun), in km. Therefore, the Schwarzschild radius for Sun is about 3 km and for Earth about 1 cm.
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie Admin
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie
alternative label: Gravitational radius
modified: 2020-11-24T16:46:02.598Z
modified: 2020-11-17T20:39:45.823Z
broader: Schwarzschild metric
scope note: Limiting radius of black hole