Does Negative Mass Play a Role in Hawking Radiation?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between negative mass and Hawking radiation, specifically questioning whether particles with negative energy also possess negative mass. Participants clarify that the concept of virtual particles falling into black holes is a heuristic description and should not be interpreted literally. The consensus is that negative mass does not exist in the context of current physics, and the implications of such a concept do not align with established theories. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of analogies in quantum mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hawking radiation and its implications in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with the concept of virtual particles and quantum fluctuations
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational theories, particularly Newton's laws
  • Awareness of the limitations of heuristic models in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Hawking radiation and its mathematical derivation
  • Explore the concept of virtual particles in quantum field theory
  • Study the implications of negative mass in theoretical physics
  • Investigate the role of analogies in explaining complex scientific concepts
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and enthusiasts in physics, particularly those interested in quantum mechanics and black hole phenomena.

Allen_Wolf
Messages
48
Reaction score
4
Recently I was actually stuck on a thought about hawing radiation.
If quantum fluctuations cause virtual particles to occur from space. So, to maintain the balance of mass in the universe, the particle with -ve energy should be having -ve mass, right?
If so, by Newton's equation of gravitation, it should be having anti-gravity properties when near a body with positive body.
For the body to fall into the black hole, at a certain point, the velocity of the -ve mass body should be greater than the velocity of light. So black evaporation would not be happening.
So does the body with -ve energy has -ve mass also?
If so, how will it fall into the black hole?

I am just in 10th grade, and I am asking this out of a bot of curiosity. I do sincerely apologize if it is wrong for wasting your precious time.:smile:
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Allen_Wolf said:
If quantum fluctuations cause virtual particles to occur from space. So, to maintain the balance of mass in the universe, the particle with -ve energy should be having -ve mass, right?
Not right. Also beware that the "virtual particle falling into the black hole" picture of Hawking radiation is a very heuristic one. As Hawking himself put it, it is the closest description in terms of English that he could think of. It is not a picture that should be used to draw any kind of inferences about what is going on.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K