What is Mass Inflation? A 5 Minute Introduction

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SUMMARY

Mass inflation refers to the phenomenon where the effective internal gravitational-mass parameter of a rotating black hole experiences unbounded inflation due to the infinite blueshift of energy density at the Cauchy horizon. This effect, as detailed in Poisson and Israel’s 1990 paper, leads to spacetime curvature reaching Planckian scales, resulting in a breakdown of classical general relativity laws. Observers approaching this hypersurface encounter the entirety of the black hole's classical history, except for the last Planck time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity principles
  • Familiarity with black hole physics
  • Knowledge of spacetime curvature concepts
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics and Planck scales
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Cauchy horizon in black hole theory
  • Study the effects of gravitational collapse on spacetime
  • Explore the relationship between mass inflation and quantum gravity
  • Examine the historical context of Poisson and Israel’s research on black holes
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and researchers in theoretical physics focusing on black hole dynamics and the implications of general relativity.

Greg Bernhardt
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Definition/Summary
Abstract from Poisson and Israel’s 1990 paper, ‘Internal structure of black holes’-
‘The gravitational effects associated with the radiative tail produced by a gravitational collapse with rotation are investigated. It is shown that the infinite blueshift of the tail’s energy density occurring at the Cauchy horizon of the resulting black hole causes classically unbounded inflation of the effective internal gravitational-mass parameter of the hole. Since this effect is causally disconnected from any external observer, the black-hole external mass remains bounded. The mass inflation phenomenon causes the spacetime curvature to grow to Planckian scales on a spacelike hypersurface in the vicinity of the Cauchy horizon, beyond which the classical laws of general relativity break down. A consequence is that an observer’s trip to this hypersurface embraces all but the last Planck time of the entire black-hole classical history.’
from ‘Structure of the Inner Singularity...

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