To a distant observer a black hole, or any gravitating body, increases in mass only by the energy of particles falling into it as measured at the defined distant zero position, except for when the weak nuclear force converts kinetic energy gained from the gravitational potential into rest mass - a violation of energy conservation.

• Get a clue - bruce - April 5, 2001 - 18:54 UTC
• Energy gain depends on where the observer is. - alexander - April 6, 2001 - 23:09 UTC