Exploring Hawking Radiation: A 10th Grader's Curiosity

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of negative energy and mass in relation to black holes and the phenomenon of Hawking radiation. There is a mention of quantum fluctuations and virtual particles, and the question of whether a particle with negative energy would have negative mass and exhibit anti-gravity properties. However, it is noted that the commonly used image of a virtual particle falling into a black hole should not be taken as a literal description of the process.
  • #1
Allen_Wolf
48
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:
 
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  • #2
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.
 

1. What is Hawking Radiation?

Hawking Radiation is a type of radiation that is theoretically predicted to be emitted by black holes. It is named after the physicist Stephen Hawking, who first proposed its existence.

2. How is Hawking Radiation produced?

Hawking Radiation is produced through a process called quantum tunneling, where pairs of particles and antiparticles are created near the event horizon of a black hole. One particle is pulled into the black hole, while the other escapes as Hawking Radiation.

3. Can Hawking Radiation be observed?

Currently, Hawking Radiation has not been directly observed. It is a very weak form of radiation and would require extremely sensitive instruments to detect. However, scientists are working on ways to indirectly observe its effects.

4. How does Hawking Radiation affect black holes?

Hawking Radiation causes black holes to lose mass over time, as the particles that escape carry away energy from the black hole. This process is very slow for larger black holes, but for smaller black holes, it can eventually cause them to evaporate completely.

5. What implications does Hawking Radiation have for our understanding of the universe?

Hawking Radiation is significant because it suggests that black holes are not completely black, as previously thought. It also has implications for the laws of thermodynamics and the information paradox, which is still a topic of debate among scientists.

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