Questions on Artificial Black Holes: Evaporation & Certainty

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of artificial mini-black holes, particularly focusing on their evaporation properties and the certainty of theoretical predictions regarding their existence and behavior. Participants explore the implications of creating such black holes in particle accelerators, the differences between mini-black holes and traditional black holes, and the theoretical frameworks surrounding them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why mini-black holes are expected to evaporate quickly compared to traditional black holes, suggesting a need for clarity on the mechanisms involved.
  • There is uncertainty expressed regarding the absolute certainty of the evaporation of mini-black holes, with some participants pondering the implications if this assumption is incorrect.
  • Participants discuss the definition and size of mini-black holes, noting that they could theoretically be as small as a Planck mass, but the feasibility of creating them is debated.
  • One participant mentions that all black holes emit Hawking radiation, which leads to mass loss and eventual evaporation, with the rate of evaporation being inversely related to their mass.
  • There is a humorous analogy comparing the lifespan of mini-black holes to a snowflake in Hades, emphasizing their expected brief existence.
  • A concept of stable miniature black holes, referred to as "geons," is introduced, suggesting a different theoretical perspective on black hole stability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the nature and behavior of mini-black holes, with no consensus reached on the certainty of their evaporation or the conditions under which they might exist. Multiple competing theories and interpretations are present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the theoretical frameworks governing black hole physics, particularly regarding Hawking radiation and the conditions necessary for the creation of mini-black holes. The limitations of current technology in producing mini-black holes are also acknowledged.

Jake
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Supposedly, when we can create our own mini-black holes in particle accellerators, they will "evaporate instantly". But a few questions arise with this:

A.) Why is this so (they evaporate, unlike real black holes) and

B.) Are we absolutly certain this is the case? What if it isn't? :rolleyes:

Thanks.
 
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What is a mini black hole, and how much smaller is it to a normal one?

And as to what happens, it depends on how much mass there is.
 
A.) Why is this so (they evaporate, unlike real black holes) and

Real Black Holes as you put it, don't last forever. They too can and will as you say, evaporate.
 
Mini black holes are still a theoretical novelty. Theoretically, it is fairly certain they can be as small as a Planck mass. If, however, that is as small as they can be, we will never see one. The energy required is far beyond any currently known technology. On the other hand if less mass is necessary, as predicted by some higher dimensional theories, the Large Hadron Collider [scheduled to go online in a few years] will be able to manufacture them.

All black holes, according to theory, emit Hawking radiation. And that theory is on pretty sound footing. This causes them to lose mass [an energy conservation thing] and eventually evaporate. The rate of evaporation is inversely and exponentially proportionate to their mass. For your typical, stellar size black hole the evaporation process takes eons... pretty much eternity, actually. On the other hand, the pathetic little runts we could manufacture in a collider would last not quite as long as a snowflake in hades.
 
There may be stable miniature black holes, called "geons" (from John Archibald Wheeler), whose gravitation is balanced by an "equivalent" charge.
 

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