Can Particles Escape a Black Hole? The Hawking Radiation Improbability

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether particles can escape a black hole, particularly in the context of Hawking radiation. Participants explore the mechanics of particle creation near the event horizon and the implications of black hole gravity on such processes.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how a particle created just outside the event horizon, with no initial velocity, could escape the strong gravitational pull of a black hole.
  • Others argue that the popular descriptions of Hawking radiation are oversimplified and do not accurately convey the complexities involved.
  • A participant suggests that the notion of particles escaping a black hole is misrepresented, referring to it as "Strawman radiation."
  • One participant clarifies that light created outside the event horizon can escape, as it travels at the speed of light, but emphasizes that the process involves more than just a particle escaping.
  • Reference is made to Hawking's original paper, indicating that a deeper understanding of the process is necessary to grasp the nuances of Hawking radiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of particle escape from black holes and the validity of popular explanations of Hawking radiation. There is no consensus on the interpretations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight that popular scientific descriptions may lack the depth needed to fully explain the mechanisms of Hawking radiation, suggesting that assumptions and simplifications may lead to misunderstandings.

pforeman
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How can a particle created just outside the event horizon with no velocity (?) escape a black hole, never to return, when black holes gravity is so strong that they can pull matter away from stars many kilometers distant?
 
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pforeman said:
How can a particle created just outside the event horizon with no velocity (?) escape a black hole, never to return, when black holes gravity is so strong that they can pull matter away from stars many kilometers distant?
This is not how Hawking radiation works. Unfortunately, how it actually works does not let itself be well described at B level so what is left for popular scientific descriptions are imperfect analogies.
 
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pforeman said:
How can a particle created just outside the event horizon with no velocity (?) escape a black hole, never to return, when black holes gravity is so strong that they can pull matter away from stars many kilometers distant?
That's not Hawking radiation. That's Strawman radiation.
 
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pforeman said:
How can a particle created just outside the event horizon with no velocity (?) escape a black hole, never to return, when black holes gravity is so strong that they can pull matter away from stars many kilometers distant?
Light starting outside the event horizon can always escape - it’s always moving at the speed of light.

But more importantly and as @Orodruin points out above, there’s a lot more going on than just a particle being created and flying away. If you take a look at Hawking’s paper you will see why most popular explanations oversimplify the process.
 
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