Comparing the power of black holes and quasars is a somewhat complex matter because they are distinct phenomena that can interact with each other. However, I can provide some information to help understand their relative power.
Black Holes: A black hole is an extremely dense object with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape its gravitational grasp beyond a certain boundary called the event horizon. Black holes can form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity. They have an immense amount of mass packed into a small volume, leading to their strong gravitational effects.
Quasars: Quasars, short for "quasi-stellar radio sources," are incredibly luminous and energetic objects found at the centers of some galaxies. They are powered by the accretion of mass onto supermassive black holes. As matter falls into the black hole, it forms a swirling disk called an accretion disk, which emits enormous amounts of energy in the form of light and other radiation. Quasars are among the most powerful and energetic objects in the known universe.
While black holes themselves are not luminous, they can indirectly exhibit their power through phenomena such as the emission of high-energy radiation when they actively accrete matter from their surroundings, giving rise to objects like quasars. In this sense, quasars can be considered a manifestation of the immense power of black holes.
Therefore, in terms of sheer energy output, quasars can be considered more powerful than individual black holes. Quasars can release vast amounts of energy, outshining entire galaxies. However, it's important to note that quasars are powered by the gravitational energy of the supermassive black holes at their cores. The black holes themselves, while incredibly massive, are not inherently luminous on their own.
It's worth mentioning that comparing the power of black holes and quasars is a complex topic, and the specific power output can vary depending on the size and properties of the black hole and the accretion process fueling the quasar. Nonetheless, in terms of overall energy release, quasars are generally considered more powerful due to the enormous energy emitted from their accretion disks surrounding supermassive black holes.