Can Black Holes Consume the Entire Universe?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Aeronaut
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Black hole Hole
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the theoretical implications of black holes consuming all matter in the universe. It concludes that while black holes can theoretically consume matter, they are limited by their mass and the rate of Hawking radiation, which causes more massive black holes to evaporate more slowly. The evaporation time scale for a solar mass black hole is approximately 10^67 years. Additionally, the nature of the universe before the Big Bang remains unknown, making comparisons to a singularity speculative.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of black hole physics
  • Familiarity with Hawking radiation
  • Knowledge of the Big Bang theory
  • Basic concepts of astrophysics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of Hawking radiation in detail
  • Study the properties and lifecycle of black holes
  • Explore theories regarding the state of the universe before the Big Bang
  • Investigate the implications of singularities in cosmology
USEFUL FOR

Astrophysics enthusiasts, students of cosmology, and anyone interested in the theoretical limits of black holes and the universe's origins.

Aeronaut
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I'm a newbie to astrophysics you could say, and I have had a few questions lingering around in my head.
So in this situation the universe hasn't been destroyed yet, but much of it has been "eaten" by black holes.

Question 1: Is it possible for BH's to swallow all matter in the universe, or would there be an energy limit/ other limits?

Question 2: If it is possible for question 1 to occur, then if all matter has been condensed into one massive black hole would it shrink rapidly due to Hawking's radiation (I'm not to sure about how Hawking's radiation works)?

Question 3: Since the universe has been reduced to a singularity, would this be similar to the universe pre Big Bang? If so, then would it have infinite temp and density?

I understand if this sounds completely asinine to some of the experts/vets here.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
1) Hypothetically I see nothing preventing it, as long as you are talking about matter that can be in causal contact with the black hole. However this is in no way a realistic scenario.

2) No. More massive black holes evaporate slower than lower mass black holes. The evaporation time scale for a solar mass black hole is about 10^67 years, and this time scale goes up with the cube of the mass.

3) We don't know, right now, what the universe was like before the big bang (or even if that is a sensible question to ask), so there is no way to compare that to anything else.
 
Thanks guys, it was just something that bugged me for a while.
I'll be sure to pick up a few books about astrophysics for leisure, it's pretty interesting.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K