Understanding Singularity: Zero Mass, Infinite Density

  • Thread starter Thread starter YoungDreamer
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Singularity
Click For Summary
The concept of a singularity involves zero mass and infinite density, which challenges conventional understanding and logic. Many physicists argue that singularities may not be real but rather a mathematical result of general relativity, indicating the need for a new theory to explain these extreme conditions. Despite significant advancements in cosmology, the nature of singularities remains largely unresolved, with ongoing research for over 60 years. The discussion emphasizes that grappling with these ideas is inherently difficult and reflects the limits of current scientific knowledge. Ultimately, the quest to comprehend singularities highlights the complexities of our universe.
YoungDreamer
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Can somebody please explain to me the idea of zero mass and infinite density, my mind just is not comprehending it, it seems almost illogical to me. Please help my brain make sense of this. Non-mathemetical please as I am not part of the scientific community.

If the answer is just a simple "the extreme environment of a singularity breaks down all logic and laws" then I guess I'll just have to remember what I always say when the universe stumps me.

To begin to understand we must first understand that we will never understand.
 
Space news on Phys.org
YoungDreamer said:
Can somebody please explain to me the idea of zero mass and infinite density, my mind just is not comprehending it, it seems almost illogical to me. Please help my brain make sense of this. Non-mathemetical please as I am not part of the scientific community.

If the answer is just a simple "the extreme environment of a singularity breaks down all logic and laws" then I guess I'll just have to remember what I always say when the universe stumps me.

To begin to understand we must first understand that we will never understand.

I don't know of any physicists who think the singularity is real. Instead, the fact that it is a mathematical consequence of general relativity is interpreted to mean that general relativity must be replaced by some successor theory in this regime (collapsed state inside event horizon). As of now, there is no known usable theory covering this situation. Research on this is ongoing for at least 60 years; it is a hard problem.
 
I'll read the other thread as well thank you.

PAllen I thank you as well for pointing out that it is not some perceptual problem in my brain but just an incredibly difficult concept that is still very much unknown even after all the incredible discoveries some of the worlds most intelligent people have made regarding question.
 
I always thought it was odd that we know dark energy expands our universe, and that we know it has been increasing over time, yet no one ever expressed a "true" size of the universe (not "observable" universe, the ENTIRE universe) by just reversing the process of expansion based on our understanding of its rate through history, to the point where everything would've been in an extremely small region. The more I've looked into it recently, I've come to find that it is due to that "inflation"...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K