How Do Supernovae Lead to Black Hole Formation?

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SUMMARY

Supernovae in stars exceeding 250 solar masses can lead to black hole formation through a process called photodisintegration. In this phenomenon, energetic gamma ray photons are absorbed, causing the ejection of protons or neutrons, which results in a loss of radiation pressure and core collapse. Additionally, the discussion highlights that pair production supernovae do not form black holes, as they result in a complete destruction of the star. Other mechanisms for black hole formation include the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit for neutron stars and hypernovae in stars over 50 solar masses.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of photodisintegration in astrophysics
  • Knowledge of supernova types, specifically pair production and standard type 1 and 2 supernovae
  • Familiarity with the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit
  • Concept of hypernovae and their role in black hole formation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of photodisintegration in massive stars
  • Study the differences between pair production supernovae and traditional supernovae
  • Explore the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit and its implications for neutron stars
  • Investigate the accretion induced collapse hypothesis in binary star systems
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in stellar evolution and black hole formation processes.

Drakkith
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Hey all. I just read about Photodisintegration leading to a supernova in stars above 250 solar masses and I thought it was pretty cool. Apparently the gamma ray photons get so energetic, they start to get absorbed, which excites the nucleus and leads to an ejection of a proton or a neutron. When this happens on a large scale, it leads to a runaway loss of energy from the core since the absorbed gamma rays no longer provide outward radiation pressure, which helps hold up the rest of the star, and the core starts to collapse into a black hole.

Just wondering what people think about this, and if there are any further phenomena past this that result in a black hole. I've read about pair production supernova as well, which doesn't leave a black hole behind since it results in a runaway nuclear reaction, destroying the star, along with the standard type 1 and 2 supernovas.
 
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Drakkith said:
Hey all. I just read about Photodisintegration leading to a supernova in stars above 250 solar masses and I thought it was pretty cool. Apparently the gamma ray photons get so energetic, they start to get absorbed, which excites the nucleus and leads to an ejection of a proton or a neutron. When this happens on a large scale, it leads to a runaway loss of energy from the core since the absorbed gamma rays no longer provide outward radiation pressure, which helps hold up the rest of the star, and the core starts to collapse into a black hole.

Just wondering what people think about this, and if there are any further phenomena past this that result in a black hole. I've read about pair production supernova as well, which doesn't leave a black hole behind since it results in a runaway nuclear reaction, destroying the star, along with the standard type 1 and 2 supernovas.
As far as the black hole formation goes around you have the usual transition of a neutron star to a black hole( Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit),formation of black hole by accretion induced collapse hypothesis(binary system consisting of oxygen-magnesium white dwarf and a red giant star) or a hypernovae(collapsar) in which if the star is over x50 solar masses then there is a direct transition into a black hole.EDIT:Thanks for the link Chonos! that's new to me.
 

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