Searching for Microscopic Black Holes in the LHC

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of observing microscopic black holes at the LHC and the challenges in detecting them. It is noted that while high energy cosmic rays could potentially create micro black holes, none have been directly detected. The conversation also touches on the topic of stars accelerating to relativistic speeds near supermassive black holes, but it is clarified that bodies do not form black holes solely due to relativistic mass increase.
  • #1
kcajrenreb
49
0
Have we ever observed microscopic black holes in the LHC?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
kcajrenreb said:
Have we ever observed microscopic black holes in the LHC?

You'd hear about it if we had.
 
  • #3
At the energy levels used at the LHC, any microblack hole created would effectively instantly be turned into energy via Hawking radiation.
 
  • #4
Therefore making it impossible, or improbable to observe a microscopic black hole?
 
  • #5
Essentially, although I suppose a particle physicist could talk about the differences in what we detect in particle collisions verses what we would detect in a black hole vaporization scenario.

I remember hearing a statistic that high energy cosmic rays should produce hundreds of micro black holes a year, but none have ever been directly detected. I don't think it is really an area of current research due to the fact that it is such a rare phenomenae which is extremely hard to detect.
 
  • #6
When a massive star orbits a supermassive black hole eccentrically, it can be accelerate to relartivistic speeds when it approaches the black hole. We have seen these dramatic u turns by stars in elegant work done over many years. Question, could these accelerating stars cross the threshold for becoming black holes due to increased kinetic energy and hence mass?
 
  • #7
Bodies do not form black holes due to relativistic mass increase. In its own reference frame, it has only rest mass energy and will not form a black hole unless that mass is concentrated in a volume smaller than its Schwarzschild limit. If it is not a black hole in one reference frame, it is not a black hole in any reference frame.
 
Last edited:

1. What is the LHC and why is it important for finding microscopic black holes?

The LHC (Large Hadron Collider) is a particle accelerator located at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland. It is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world, designed to collide particles at high energies. This is crucial for finding microscopic black holes, as they are predicted to only be created at such high energies.

2. How do scientists search for microscopic black holes in the LHC?

Scientists use the LHC to accelerate protons to nearly the speed of light and then collide them. By analyzing the debris of these collisions, they can look for signs of microscopic black holes, such as jets of particles or missing energy.

3. What evidence supports the existence of microscopic black holes in the LHC?

While there is no direct evidence of microscopic black holes in the LHC yet, there are several theories that predict their existence at energies achievable by the LHC. Additionally, the LHC has already discovered the Higgs boson, which was predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics, giving scientists confidence in its ability to uncover new particles.

4. Are microscopic black holes dangerous?

No, microscopic black holes created in the LHC would be too small and short-lived to pose any danger. They would evaporate almost immediately due to Hawking radiation, a process predicted by Stephen Hawking in which black holes emit particles and lose mass until they eventually disappear.

5. What are the potential implications of finding microscopic black holes in the LHC?

If scientists were to find microscopic black holes in the LHC, it would confirm the existence of extra dimensions and provide valuable insights into the nature of gravity and the universe. It could also potentially lead to new technologies and further our understanding of the fundamental particles and forces that make up our world.

Similar threads

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
987
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
953
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
986
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top