Is the Interior of a Black Hole a Space-Like Region Beyond the Horizon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of the interior of a black hole, specifically whether it can be considered a space-like region beyond the event horizon. Participants explore the implications of event separation within this context, addressing both theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the interior of a black hole is a space-like region, asking whether any two events occurring past the black hole horizon are space-like separated.
  • Another participant argues that events in the interior cannot be space-like separated, citing that objects can fall into the region beneath the horizon, indicating the presence of timelike separated events.
  • A third participant challenges the terminology of "spacelike region," stating that events are either timelike or spacelike separated based on their relation to light cones, regardless of their position relative to the event horizon.
  • A follow-up question seeks clarification on whether the discussion refers to a specific section of a worldline that is entirely contained within the black hole.
  • A participant confirms that the reference is indeed to that section of the worldline which is fully spatially contained in the black hole.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are competing views regarding the nature of event separation within the black hole interior, with some arguing for the presence of timelike events and others questioning the applicability of the term "spacelike region."

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of defining event separation in the context of black holes, with assumptions about the nature of spacetime and the behavior of objects near the event horizon remaining unresolved.

LarryS
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Forgetting about the singularity for the moment, is the interior of a black hole a space-like region? That is, are any two events that occcur past the black hole horizon space-like separated?

Thanks in advance.
 
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referframe said:
are any two events that occcur past the black hole horizon space-like separated?

No. The simplest way to see this is to note that objects can fall into the region beneath the horizon, which means there must be some timelike separated events there (the ones on the worldlines of the infalling objects).
 
referframe said:
Forgetting about the singularity for the moment, is the interior of a black hole a space-like region? That is, are any two events that occcur past the black hole horizon space-like separated?
The phrase "spacelike region" makes no sense.
Whether inside or outside the event horizon, everything in the past and future light cones of a given event is timelike-separated from that event, and everything outside those light cones is spacelike separated.
 
PeterDonis said:
No. The simplest way to see this is to note that objects can fall into the region beneath the horizon, which means there must be some timelike separated events there (the ones on the worldlines of the infalling objects).
I think I see. Are you referring to that section of that worldline that is 100% spatially contained in the black hole?
 
referframe said:
Are you referring to that section of that worldline that is 100% spatially contained in the black hole?

Yes.
 

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