Unraveling the Mystery of Information in Black Holes

In summary, "information" in the context of black holes refers to the constituents of matter, such as charge, matter, radiation, and photons. It is also tied to the concept of mass, which is observer-dependent. Jacob Bekenstein's work on black hole thermodynamics introduced the Bekenstein bound, which states that there is a limit to the amount of information that can be stored in a finite region of space with a finite amount of energy. This is similar to the holographic principle, which is further explored by Leonard Susskind.
  • #1
bugatti79
794
1
Hi Folks,

Can somenone explain what "information" is with respect to black holes?

I thought it was all about mass and energy from both quantum Mechanics and GR perspective.

Why does "information" come into it...sounds unusual to say the least.

Thanks
B
 
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  • #2
bugatti79 said:
I thought it was all about mass and energy from both quantum Mechanics and GR perspective.

It is. "information" references the constituents making up matter that falls in, charge, matter, radiation, photons,etc.

In addition, 'mass' or, 'particle number', is observer-dependent. The 'particle number' operator for an accelerated observer is different from the particle number operator for an inertial observer. Of course that's also true for the vacuum outside a black hole.

You can find more on 'information' here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Bekenstein

"Based on his black-hole thermodynamics work, Bekenstein also demonstrated the Bekenstein bound: there is a maximum to the amount of information that can potentially be stored in a given finite region of space which has a finite amount of energy (which is similar to theholographic principle).

Check Leonard Susskind, and the holographic principle for additional insights.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the link!
 

1. What is a black hole?

A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. This is due to the extreme curvature of space and time caused by a very massive object.

2. Can anything escape from a black hole?

According to current understanding, nothing can escape from a black hole. Once anything, including light, crosses the event horizon (the point of no return), it is trapped inside the black hole forever.

3. What is the information paradox in relation to black holes?

The information paradox is a theoretical problem that arises when we try to reconcile the principles of quantum mechanics with the existence of black holes. According to quantum mechanics, information cannot be destroyed, yet black holes are thought to destroy all information that falls into them. This paradox raises questions about the fundamental laws of the universe.

4. Can information be retrieved from a black hole?

There is ongoing research and debate about whether information can be retrieved from a black hole. Some theories suggest that information may be stored in the black hole's event horizon or in the form of radiation emitted from the black hole. However, this has not been proven and remains a topic of study.

5. What are the implications of solving the information paradox?

If the information paradox is solved, it could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It could also potentially lead to advancements in technology and our ability to manipulate information and space-time in ways that were previously thought to be impossible.

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