Understanding Matter and Antimatter Interactions in Black Holes

In summary, matter and antimatter falling into a black hole have different effects on its mass, as matter increases it while antimatter decreases it. This is due to the conservation of energy and mass. Antimatter is the corresponding particle to every type of matter, with opposite quantum numbers. When a particle and its corresponding antiparticle collide, they annihilate each other and release energy. However, it is still unclear why electrons and positrons do not form quantum mechanical orbitals, or why high energy electrons do not annihilate a portion of a much larger proton when they collide.
  • #1
Unredeemed
120
0
Is matter going into a black hole the same as antimatter leaving one?

This has confused me for a while...

Thanks,
Jamie
 
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  • #2
Unredeemed said:
Is matter going into a black hole the same as antimatter leaving one?

No.

Matter and antimatter falling into a black hole increase the mass of the black hole. Matter and antimatter "leaving" (Hawking radiation) a black hole decrease the mass of the black hole.
 
  • #3
But wouldn't the antimatter and matter anihilate one another inside the black hole?
 
  • #4
My point was that since matter falling into a black hole increases the black hole's mass and antimatter leaving a black hole decreases a black hole's mass, these two processes are not the same
Unredeemed said:
But wouldn't the antimatter and matter anihilate one another inside the black hole?

Only if their worldlines intersect inside the black hole. Even if this happens, the mass of black hole remains unchanged from the mass just "before" the annihilation event.
 
  • #5
Is that due to the conservation of energy and mass?
 
  • #6
Unredeemed said:
Is that due to the conservation of energy and mass?

Yes, this is because of (local) conservation of mass/energy.
 
  • #7
George Jones said:
No.

Matter and antimatter falling into a black hole increase the mass of the black hole. Matter and antimatter "leaving" (Hawking radiation) a black hole decrease the mass of the black hole.

What is this antimatter?
 
  • #8
wolram said:
What is this antimatter?

For every particle of matter, there is a corresponding particle of antimatter. The (additive) quantum numbers of an anitparticle have values that ere the negatives of the values of the quantum number for the corresponding particle.

For example, an electron has negative electric charge, and a positron (anitmatter electron) has positive electric charge. If a particle and corresponding antiparticle collide, they annihilate each other, releasing energy.
 
  • #9
George Jones said:
...For example, an electron has negative electric charge, and a positron (anitmatter electron) has positive electric charge. If a particle and corresponding antiparticle collide, they annihilate each other, releasing energy.
Tangents, if you are inclined:
Assuming the electron and positron are the same thing(? same mass, etc) differing only in charge:
1. Why don't an electron and positron settle into quantum mechanical orbitals about each other similar to the traditional electron and nucleus?
2. If an high energy electron can in fact be made to collide with a (proton based) nucleus, why does it not 'annihilate' some 1/1800 th of the much larger proton?
 

1. What is a black hole?

A black hole is an area in space with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, including light, can escape from it. It is formed when a massive star dies and collapses in on itself, creating a singularity with an infinitely dense and small point in the center.

2. What is the difference between black hole matter and antimatter?

The main difference between black hole matter and antimatter is their charge. Black hole matter has a positive gravitational charge, while antimatter has a negative charge. Additionally, black hole matter is attracted to normal matter and can be observed through its gravitational pull, while antimatter will annihilate when it comes into contact with normal matter.

3. Can black holes be created on Earth?

No, black holes cannot be created on Earth. They require extremely high levels of mass and energy, which can only be found in certain cosmic events such as the death of a massive star.

4. How do black holes interact with other matter in space?

Black holes can attract and consume matter that comes too close to their event horizon, which is the point of no return where the gravitational pull becomes too strong for anything to escape. They can also interact with other celestial objects through their gravitational pull, causing them to orbit or even merge with the black hole.

5. What happens when matter and antimatter fall into a black hole?

When matter and antimatter fall into a black hole, they will both contribute to the mass and energy of the black hole. This will increase the size and strength of the black hole's gravitational pull. However, as the matter and antimatter come into contact, they will also annihilate each other, releasing a burst of energy before being consumed by the black hole.

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