Black Holes Must Have Singularities Says Einstein Relativity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of singularities in black holes as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity. Participants explore the implications of these singularities, their nature, and the limitations of current theoretical models in describing them.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that singularities in relativity indicate a breakdown of the theory.
  • One participant questions whether general relativity's prediction of a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole is accurate, suggesting that this cannot be the complete picture.
  • Another participant clarifies that a black hole does not have a center in the traditional sense, stating that the singularity is a future event for anything crossing the event horizon.
  • Concerns are raised about the concept of infinite density, with a participant noting that there isn't a well-defined volume for mass at the singularity.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of mass inside a black hole and whether it continues to contract indefinitely, with references to how matter behaves according to general relativity.
  • One participant draws a parallel to fluid dynamics, suggesting that theories predicting infinities often indicate incompleteness, and speculates that a deeper understanding may eliminate the concept of singularities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of singularities and the implications of general relativity, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current models, particularly regarding the definition and behavior of singularities, and the need for a more complete theory to address these issues.

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Singularities in relativity illustrate a breakdown in the theory.
 
If I understand correct general relativity predicts a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole and this result can't be what is really going on. Questions: is this correct? Also why wouldn't the the mass inside a black hole keep contracting, only reaching infinity after an infinite amount of time?
 
EmileJ said:
If I understand correct general relativity predicts a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole and this result can't be what is really going on. Questions: is this correct?
No. A black hole doesn't have a center in this sense. The singularity occurs in the future of anything crossing the event horizon - ending up there is as inevitable as Monday morning. And the problem with our existing model is that the singularity, where all infalling matter must end up, isn't part of the model. So we don't really know how to describe it. Infinite density doesn't really make sense because there isn't a well-defined volume for the mass to be in.
EmileJ said:
Also why wouldn't the the mass inside a black hole keep contracting, only reaching infinity after an infinite amount of time?
See above. But we can model what happens to matter crossing the event horizon, and it reaches the singularity in finite time by its own clocks, at least according to General Relativity.
 
It is often the case where a theory predicts something going to infinity. It’s always been a simple case that our theory was incomplete.

Here is another type of singularity: fluid dynamics would calculate the waves meeting at a point with an infinite amplitude. Obviously that theory breaks down since there is no actual infinity. There are molecules affecting its behavior. We don’t know what the universal equivalent of a molecules in spacetime is, but we suspect that we’ll eventually figure it out and those pesky singularities will go away.

 
Thread closed for moderation.

Edit: The thread topic has been addressed and the thread is inviting speculation/misinformation. The thread will remain closed.
 

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