2134/2400 Jerry Griffiths Jerry Griffiths P. Krtous P. Krtous J. Podolsky J. Podolsky Interpreting the C-metric Loughborough University 2006 untagged Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified 2006-10-09 15:42:11 Preprint https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/preprint/Interpreting_the_C-metric/9380351 The basic properties of the C-metric are well known. It describes a pair of causally separated black holes which accelerate in opposite directions under the action of forces represented by conical singularities. However, these properties can be demonstrated much more transparently by making use of recently developed coordinate systems for which the metric functions have a simple factor structure. These enable us to obtain explicit Kruskal–Szekeres-type extensions through the horizons and construct two-dimensional conformal Penrose diagrams. We then combine these into a three-dimensional picture which illustrates the global causal structure of the space-time outside the black hole horizons. Using both the weak field limit and some invariant quantities, we give a direct physical interpretation of the parameters which appear in the new form of the metric. For completeness, relations to other familiar coordinate systems are also discussed.