Black Hole and the event horizon

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of black holes, specifically the event horizon and the behavior of gravitons. Participants clarify that the size of a black hole typically refers to the event horizon, and that while black holes possess infinite density, time behaves differently for observers inside versus outside the event horizon. The conversation also touches on Hawking Radiation, explaining that virtual particles can emerge near the event horizon, with one particle potentially escaping and the other being absorbed by the black hole, resulting in a loss of mass for the black hole.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of black hole physics and general relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of event horizons
  • Knowledge of Hawking Radiation and quantum mechanics
  • Basic grasp of the behavior of time in relativistic contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of event horizons on time perception in general relativity
  • Study the mechanics of Hawking Radiation in detail
  • Explore the concept of gravitons and their theoretical role in gravity
  • Investigate the differences in experiences of observers crossing the event horizon
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, physicists, and students of theoretical physics seeking to deepen their understanding of black holes and their properties.

Charlie G
Messages
115
Reaction score
0
This question may have been asked before because it seems like one of the first questions that would be asked after learning of black holes. My question is, how do gravitons escape the event horizon? They must somehow escape, otherwise the black hole could not influence anything with its gravitational pull.

I have a few more questions on black holes.

I have read that black holes have an infinite density, but I have also read that one of the properties of the black hole is its size. By size do they mean the size of the event horizon? Because something with infintie density becomes a point, right? If the density and curvature of spacetime is infinite, then does time stop, like it would if someone were to move at light speed, according to someone outside the event horizon?

And finally, for black holes evaporating, does the quantum process have to happen outside the event horizon? It seems like it has to. The book I'm reading is Stephen Hawking A Brief History of Time, which may be too brief, kinda went to fast over the black holes evaporating. So when the pair of virtual particles is produced, does the process need to happen really close to the black holes event horizon, so that one of the particles will fall into the event horizon?

The last question I'm not really sure of, I have a feeling that I am way off.

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This link does a better job of explaining gravitons than I could.
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=264

However, I think I can answer the others. When the size of a black hole is discussed it is generally talking about the event horizon. Inside the event horizon since nothing can escape it doesn't make sense to talk about what's inside. I believe that time does stop at the event horizon.

You seem to have the right idea about Hawking Radiation. Two particles appear, and normally destroy each other and no net gain or loss of energy occurs. When this happens close to a black hole one is pulled into it, and the other escapes, since there is a net gain from this it must come from somewhere, and the black hole loses mass equal to the particle that got away.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the reply Dale, the link was very helpful:smile:
 
DaleSwanson said:
Inside the event horizon since nothing can escape it doesn't make sense to talk about what's inside. I believe that time does stop at the event horizon.

Not true.
You can jump into the black hole, and time will not stop for you
In fact, you can cross a horizon of a super-massive BH without even noticing it.
 
Actually DaleSwanson and Dmitry67 are both right. It depends on one's perspective. To a distant observer, time does stop at the horizon. To the falling object, time seems normal.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
2K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
3K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
8K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
5K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
709
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
725
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K