Are Gamma Ray Bursts The Most Powerful Thing In The Universe?

As far as energy released "all at once", gamma ray bursts seem to top the list. They are thought to be caused by merging neutron star binaries, and that their energy release is partially focused at the poles, intensifying it. Nevertheless, it is far more powerful than a supernova. In 10 seconds, a supernova releases 100 times the energy than our sun will in its 10 billion year lifespan. Yet the shockwave of a supernova travels only about 10,000 kps, whereas the shockwave of a merging neutron star binary is 10 times faster (1/3 the speed of light). This is the result of the neutron stars being so gravitationally compact. A feather dropped on a neutron star's surface would release the energy of a nuclear bomb, so imagine the weight of two large suns colliding under those conditions.

This used to frighten me a little, since a single event like that, even if thousands of lightyears away, can potentially wipe out life on the earth. So far, they've only been observed in other galaxies.

Yep gamma rays bursts are the most powerful thing in the PRESENT universe. However THE BIG BANG was the most powerful event in the History of The UNIVERSE.

Gamma rays are nothing more than an electromagnetic radiation of very high frequency. Light is the same thing but at much lower frequency hence not harmful. Energy is given by the following formula:

E=k* H

where k is Planck's constant and H is frequency. When atoms disintegrate the energy is expanded by

E=M*C^2 (Einstein's formula) since C=is speed of light the energy emitted is enormous hence the destructive power of atomic bomb. So gamma energy is very harmful to living tissue and it will destroy the cells completely in a matter of seconds. Because the energy destroys the bonds between molecules in our genetic code. That's the reason exposure to gamma rays (radioactivity) causes cancer.

I hope this answers your question.

Oh please, this is a place of learning, not an ignorance buffet. Keep your god out of real sciecne.

Gamma ray bursts are among the most powerful things in the universe because of the sheer amount of energy contained in the. I say among because a supernova could be called a the most powerful if wide area effect is taken into consideration. Black holes are also very powerful objects in gravitational terms.

That depends greatly on the scale and context of what you consider a "thing". For example, recent studies and evidence indicate that there is some sort of "force" (dark energy, dark matter, etc.) which is pushing the galaxies apart at an accellerating rate! I, for one, would consider that "force" far more powerful than a miniscule Gamma Ray Burst.

at the same time as an section Gamma Ray Burst ought to really harm the Earth very a lot, a up to date study has concluded that it's not going to take position in our galaxy - the calculations are depending around the metallic content cloth of the galaxy. the percentages exercising elementary at about 0.15% in our galaxy - and it ought to must be interior about 3000 elementary years to reason the mass extinction we are speaking about, so the probability is somewhat low. verify below source for the documents (dated 19 April 2006). (of route the study will be incorrect, yet we may be able to purely run on the training we've :))

At this time, no more powerful source of power has been found than gamma ray bursts. Quasars run a close second though.

no, theoretically, vacuum energy as described by quantum mechanics is the most powerful thing, gamma ray bursts are the most energetic, though.....

God is The Most Powerful Thing In The Universe.

What is more powerful does not have a name. There is nothing left or anyone for that matter to name it.