Black Holes Must Have Singularities Says Einstein Relativity

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of singularities in relation to black holes and the breakdown of current theories in explaining them. The theory of general relativity predicts a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole, but this cannot be accurately described as there is no well-defined volume for the mass to be in. The issue of infinite density is also seen in other theories, such as fluid dynamics, and it is believed that further understanding of the behavior of spacetime will lead to a resolution of this issue. The thread has since been closed for moderation due to the potential for speculation and misinformation.
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  • #2
Did you have a question?
 
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  • #3
Singularities in relativity illustrate a breakdown in the theory.
 
  • #4
If I understand correct general relativity predicts a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole and this result can't be what is really going on. Questions: is this correct? Also why wouldn't the the mass inside a black hole keep contracting, only reaching infinity after an infinite amount of time?
 
  • #5
EmileJ said:
If I understand correct general relativity predicts a point of infinite density at the center of a black hole and this result can't be what is really going on. Questions: is this correct?
No. A black hole doesn't have a center in this sense. The singularity occurs in the future of anything crossing the event horizon - ending up there is as inevitable as Monday morning. And the problem with our existing model is that the singularity, where all infalling matter must end up, isn't part of the model. So we don't really know how to describe it. Infinite density doesn't really make sense because there isn't a well-defined volume for the mass to be in.
EmileJ said:
Also why wouldn't the the mass inside a black hole keep contracting, only reaching infinity after an infinite amount of time?
See above. But we can model what happens to matter crossing the event horizon, and it reaches the singularity in finite time by its own clocks, at least according to General Relativity.
 
  • #6
It is often the case where a theory predicts something going to infinity. It’s always been a simple case that our theory was incomplete.

Here is another type of singularity: fluid dynamics would calculate the waves meeting at a point with an infinite amplitude. Obviously that theory breaks down since there is no actual infinity. There are molecules affecting its behavior. We don’t know what the universal equivalent of a molecules in spacetime is, but we suspect that we’ll eventually figure it out and those pesky singularities will go away.

 
  • #7
Thread closed for moderation.

Edit: The thread topic has been addressed and the thread is inviting speculation/misinformation. The thread will remain closed.
 

Related to Black Holes Must Have Singularities Says Einstein Relativity

What is a black hole?

A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape from it. The boundary of this region is called the event horizon.

What is a singularity?

A singularity is a point in space where the curvature of spacetime becomes infinite. In the context of black holes, it is believed to be the center of the black hole where all the mass is concentrated.

Why do black holes have singularities?

According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, the gravitational pull of a massive object causes spacetime to curve. In the case of a black hole, the curvature at the event horizon becomes infinite, leading to the formation of a singularity at the center.

Can anything escape from a black hole's singularity?

According to our current understanding of physics, nothing can escape from a black hole's singularity. The extreme gravitational pull and infinite curvature of spacetime make it impossible for anything, including light, to escape.

How do scientists study black holes and their singularities?

Scientists use various methods to study black holes, such as observing their effects on surrounding matter and using mathematical models based on general relativity. However, the exact nature of a black hole's singularity remains a mystery and is an area of active research.

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