Exploring the Compression of Atoms in Black Holes

In summary, black holes are made of compressed atoms, but the extent of this compression is still unknown. The current theories of General Relativity and Quantum Theory do not fully explain the compression of matter in a black hole. The singularity at the center of a black hole is the most compressed state of matter, but the visible part of a black hole is the event horizon, which is a location in space that has no physical substance.
  • #1
leroyjenkens
616
49
How compressed are the atoms black holes are made of? Is there a limit to how much you can compress matter?
It seems to me, the most you can compress matter would be until the individual subatomic particles are side by side touching each other.
Are black holes compressed more than that? Are they compressed so tight that the subatomic particles are squeezed into a smaller state than they exist naturally?
 
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  • #2
leroyjenkens said:
How compressed are the atoms black holes are made of?
We don't know. A lot.
leroyjenkens said:
Is there a limit to how much you can compress matter?
We don't know.
leroyjenkens said:
It seems to me, the most you can compress matter would be until the individual subatomic particles are side by side touching each other.
That would be a neutron star. Electrons and protons are mashed together to form neutrons, neutrons are packed elbow to elbow.
leroyjenkens said:
Are black holes compressed more than that?
Yes.
leroyjenkens said:
Are they compressed so tight that the subatomic particles are squeezed into a smaller state than they exist naturally?
Yes.
 
  • #3
That would be a neutron star. Electrons and protons are mashed together to form neutrons, neutrons are packed elbow to elbow.
Yeah that's what I thought. I guess the neutrons must be compressed smaller by causing the particles that make up a neutron to move closer together?
 
  • #4
Just to expand on DaveC426913's "don't knows", General Relativity says that a black hole compresses to a single point of infinite density. Quantum Theory says that's impossible. So until someone finds a theory that supersedes both General Relativity and Quantum Theory, we really don't know.
 
  • #5
Just to expand on DaveC426913's "don't knows", General Relativity says that a black hole compresses to a single point of infinite density.
Black holes appear to be bigger than that. What is the visible part of the black hole, other than the singularity?
 
  • #6
leroyjenkens said:
DrGreg said:
Just to expand on DaveC426913's "don't knows", General Relativity says that a black hole compresses to a single point of infinite density.
Black holes appear to be bigger than that. What is the visible part of the black hole, other than the singularity?
Yes, I was referring specifically to the singularity at the centre of a black hole (which is where all its mass is). The surface around the singularity through which nothing can escape outwards is called the event horizon. (It has no physical substance but is just a location in space.) Strictly speaking, it isn't "visible" because it's black!
 

1. What exactly is a black hole?

A black hole is a region of spacetime where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape from it. It is formed when a massive star collapses under its own gravity.

2. How do black holes form?

Black holes are formed when a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel and can no longer sustain its own weight. As a result, the core of the star collapses and forms a singularity, which is a point of infinite density and zero volume.

3. How do black holes compress atoms?

Black holes compress atoms through the immense gravitational force exerted by the singularity at its center. This force is strong enough to overcome the electromagnetic forces that keep atoms from collapsing, causing them to be compressed into a single point of infinite density.

4. Can we observe the compression of atoms in black holes?

Currently, we do not have the technology to directly observe the compression of atoms in black holes. However, we can indirectly study their effects on surrounding matter and radiation to gain insights into their properties.

5. What happens to the atoms that are compressed in a black hole?

The atoms that are compressed in a black hole cease to exist in their original form. They are broken down into their subatomic particles and merged with the singularity, adding to its mass and gravitational pull.

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