Is the Singularity Infinitely Dense and Small?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCCol
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Singularity
AI Thread Summary
Singularities are theorized to exist at the centers of black holes and are predicted by General Relativity, which suggests they are infinitely small and dense. While they are hidden behind an event horizon and cannot be observed directly, several theorems in General Relativity indicate their necessity under certain conditions. The prevailing belief is that quantum gravity may prevent infinite densities, but a comprehensive theory of quantum gravity has yet to be developed. Currently, General Relativity and quantum theory are incompatible, creating challenges in understanding singularities fully. The discussion highlights the ongoing scientific inquiry into the nature of singularities and the limitations of current theories.
JCCol
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
I have a quick question about the singularity, is it infinitly small and dense and if so why? Why do we know it to be so as infinitely dense and small? Any help with this will be much appreciated.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
JCCol said:
I have a quick question about the singularity, is it infinitly small and dense and if so why? Why do we know it to be so as infinitely dense and small? Any help with this will be much appreciated.

Singularities are predicted at the center of black holes. We cannot see them (because they are hidden behind an event horizon), but singularities are a prediction of General Relativity. There are several important theorems in GR that show that singularities must arise in a black hole, given certain plausible assumptions.

Most people think that quantum gravity will prevent infinite densities from actually occurring in the center of black holes, however we do not have a theory of quantum gravity at this time.
 
General Realtivty and Quantum theory are incompatible. When you need both (as inside black holes) there is no working theory.
 
Is a homemade radio telescope realistic? There seems to be a confluence of multiple technologies that makes the situation better than when I was a wee lad: software-defined radio (SDR), the easy availability of satellite dishes, surveillance drives, and fast CPUs. Let's take a step back - it is trivial to see the sun in radio. An old analog TV, a set of "rabbit ears" antenna, and you're good to go. Point the antenna at the sun (i.e. the ears are perpendicular to it) and there is...
3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and formerly designated as A11pl3Z, is an iinterstellar comet. It was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile on 1 July 2025. Note: it was mentioned (as A11pl3Z) by DaveE in a new member's introductory thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/brian-cox-lead-me-here.1081670/post-7274146 https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/ One...

Similar threads

Back
Top