How exactly does Hawking radiation work?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of Hawking radiation, with a focus on related topics such as the Unruh effect, particle pairs, and the implications of relativity in a vacuum. The original poster expresses difficulty in understanding these concepts and seeks clarification.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to explain their understanding of Hawking radiation, mentioning energy, particle pairs, and the Unruh effect. They question the validity of their thoughts and seek corrections or complements from others.
  • Some participants challenge the "virtual particle" description of Hawking radiation, suggesting it is a simplification that may not accurately represent the underlying mathematics.
  • Questions arise regarding the nature of particles in a vacuum, with participants expressing confusion about the statement that no particles can exist in a vacuum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the limitations of popular science explanations and the complexity of the mathematics involved in understanding Hawking radiation.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of access to physics textbooks, relying on online resources for their research. There is a noted uncertainty regarding the nature of particles and energy in a vacuum, which remains a point of contention in the discussion.

caspeerrr
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Homework Statement


For school I'm doing a project on hawking radiaton but I have very big difficulties trying to understand it.
I'm trying to understand the matter about: Unruh effect, particle pair (antimatter - matter) and the theory of relativity regarding vaccuum.

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


What I now think about hawking radiaton:
Energy travels inside the gravitational pull of a black hole. Due to the Unruh effect, a particle pair will be created. I don't know how, but they get separated and one of the two gets outside the gravitational pull in the form of radiation. The other will go inside the black hole, but because it is antimatter, the energy of the black hole will decrease, so in time the black hole will evaporate.
What I think I know about the unruh effect:
In a vacuum cannot be any particles. But if a observer accelerates, particles will be observed in the stationary vaccuum.
Because of the theory of relativity, the gravitational pull can be considered as acceleration so the unruh effect takes place at the black hole.

I'm aware that many of this will probably be not right. I'd appreciate it very much if someone could say what is correct and if not correct, could complement it.
Thanks in advance!
 
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The whole "virtual particle" description of Hawking Radiation is NOT what actually happens. Hawking said that it was the best he could come up with to describe in English something that really can only be described in the math. You'll see it in pop-sci presentations, but not in physics textbooks.

I have no idea what you might have in mind when you say "In a vacuum cannot be any particles"
 
phinds said:
The whole "virtual particle" description of Hawking Radiation is NOT what actually happens. Hawking said that it was the best he could come up with to describe in English something that really can only be described in the math. You'll see it in pop-sci presentations, but not in physics textbooks.

I have no idea what you might have in mind when you say "In a vacuum cannot be any particles"

Thanks for your answer!
So is it known what really happens? I don't have access to physics textbooks and have to work with google.
Further, I read somewhere ( can't find where) that in a vacuum, it is not possible to have any particles. Only energy can exist in a vacuum. So this is not true?
 
caspeerrr said:
Thanks for your answer!
So is it known what really happens? I don't have access to physics textbooks and have to work with google.
It is known of course, but my understanding is that you have to understand some wicked complex math to understand it
Further, I read somewhere ( can't find where) that in a vacuum, it is not possible to have any particles. Only energy can exist in a vacuum. So this is not true?
It is not only not true, it is nonsensical.
 

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