An analysis of the LIGO discovery based on Introductory Physics
Harsh Mathur, Katherine Jones-Smith, Ashton Lowenstein
TL;DR
This paper explains the LIGO black hole merger data using basic physics concepts, providing order of magnitude estimates that align with detailed LIGO results.
Contribution
It demonstrates how introductory physics principles can be used to analyze and interpret complex gravitational wave data.
Findings
Estimated black hole masses match LIGO's results
Calculated energy radiated agrees with LIGO measurements
Provided simple, order-of-magnitude insights into the event
Abstract
Binary black hole mergers are 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.
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