Are Black Holes sufficiently characterized?

[cph]

Is mass, angular momentum, and charge sufficient for black hole characterization? Or is also entropy, and hence surface area, also required? Thus is the shape for a given mass black hole also a required consideration?

 

[phinds]

From all the reading I've done, I gather that the mass and spin are the properties that matter. I haven't read of charge being much of an issue in real BHs and size seems to be mentioned only as the diameter of the event horizon.

 

[Nabeshin]

This is precisely the statement of the no-hair theorem, that mass, angular momentum, and charge are the only three numbers necessary to describe a BH. The quantities you mention, entropy and surface area, are derived from the above three.

 

[zhermes]

From all the reading I've done, I gather that the mass and spin are the properties that matter.

For real, astrophysical black-holes -- the charge can be assumed to be zero, as a black-hole will be formed from (ridiculously close to) equal numbers of protons and electrons. But all three parameters are actually needed for a complete description, as Nabeshin said---according to the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_hair_theorem"

 

[pmacias]

I can say that the characterization of black holes is an ongoing and complex process. While the parameters of mass, angular momentum, and charge are certainly important in understanding black holes, they alone are not sufficient for complete characterization.

Entropy and surface area are also crucial factors in understanding black holes. The concept of entropy in black holes is closely tied to the second law of thermodynamics and plays a significant role in the study of black hole thermodynamics. The surface area of a black hole, also known as the event horizon, is directly related to its entropy, and thus, it is an essential consideration in characterizing these objects.

Moreover, the shape of a black hole is also an important factor to consider. While it is commonly believed that black holes are perfectly spherical, recent research suggests that they may have more complex shapes, such as oblate or prolate spheroids. The shape of a black hole can affect its gravitational pull and the dynamics of matter falling into it, making it a crucial consideration in characterization.

In conclusion, while mass, angular momentum, and charge are important parameters in characterizing black holes, entropy, surface area, and shape are also essential factors to consider. As scientists continue to study and understand these enigmatic objects, our understanding of their characterization will continue to evolve.