Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the smallest mass required to create a black hole, exploring both theoretical and speculative aspects of black hole formation, including micro black holes and the implications of collisions in high-energy environments.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that micro black holes could be produced in high-energy accelerators, potentially evaporating into Hawking radiation.
- One participant suggests that the smallest mass needed to form a black hole might be the Planck mass.
- Another participant notes that the critical mass for black hole formation is defined by the volume in which the mass is contained, allowing for the possibility of forming a black hole from a mass less than the critical mass through collisions.
- There is a suggestion that a solar mass of about 13.5 times that of the sun might be necessary for gravity alone to produce a black hole, questioning whether an implosive force could compress a sub-black hole mass into a stable black hole.
- One participant emphasizes that no black hole is stable due to evaporation, referencing Hawking's calculations and asserting that this is independent of various theoretical models.
- There is mention of the possibility of lowering the classical mass value required for black hole formation if large extra dimensions are considered.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the mass required to create a black hole, with some focusing on theoretical limits like the Planck mass and others discussing astrophysical masses such as solar masses. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility of forming black holes from sub-critical masses and the implications of various forces.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes speculative elements about black hole formation in high-energy collisions and the role of volume in defining critical mass, which may depend on additional assumptions not fully explored in the thread.
