If you condense an atom, would it make a black hole?

In summary: The Planck mass and length are just where our current theories break down. They do not necessarily represent the true limits of nature. In summary, current theories suggest that it is not possible to condense an atom or group of atoms small enough to create a black hole, as this would require reaching the Planck length and mass, which are believed to be the smallest physically meaningful length and mass, respectively. This is based on our current understanding and may change in the future.
  • #1
Carobouy
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If you were to condense an atom or group of atoms, the gravitational force would be very large because the atom is 99.9999999999996% empty, so making it 100% full would be like crushing a pound of tin foil into the size of a pen dot. If the density is so much it would make a huuuuge gravitational force right? So it theoretically create a black hole. Right?
 
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  • #2
Carobouy said:
If you were to condense an atom or group of atoms, the gravitational force would be very large because the atom is 99.9999999999996% empty, so making it 100% full would be like crushing a pound of tin foil into the size of a pen dot. If the density is so much it would make a huuuuge gravitational force right? So it theoretically create a black hole. Right?
do you exclude all other interaction?
 
  • #3
Carobouy said:
If you were to condense an atom or group of atoms, the gravitational force would be very large because the atom is 99.9999999999996% empty, so making it 100% full would be like crushing a pound of tin foil into the size of a pen dot. If the density is so much it would make a huuuuge gravitational force right? So it theoretically create a black hole. Right?

What does it mean to “condense an atom”? How do you condense an atom already in its ground state?

Zz.
 
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  • #4
There is nothing you could "condense" about an atom.

A condensed group of atoms is a liquid or a solid.

In both cases there is no black hole.
Carobouy said:
the atom is 99.9999999999996% empty
Only for very strange definitions of "empty". If you go by the space where wave functions are, it is exactly 0% empty. If you go by volume physically used by particles, it is exactly 100% empty. To get a number close to 100% but not exactly 100% you have to consider the electrons as point-like and ignore their wave functions, but use the size of the wave functions of the nuclei to define their volume.

Neutron stars have a very high density, roughly the same density as nuclei but with a larger volume. They are not black holes.
 
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  • #5
mfb said:
There is nothing you could "condense" about an atom.

A condensed group of atoms is a liquid or a solid.

In both cases there is no black hole.Only for very strange definitions of "empty". If you go by the space where wave functions are, it is exactly 0% empty. If you go by volume physically used by particles, it is exactly 100% empty. To get a number close to 100% but not exactly 100% you have to consider the electrons as point-like and ignore their wave functions, but use the size of the wave functions of the nuclei to define their volume.

Neutron stars have a very high density, roughly the same density as nuclei but with a larger volume. They are not black holes.
Thank you. This answers my question.
 
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  • #6
If you somehow could condense a carbon atom (mass 2x10^-26 kg) down to its Schwarzschild radius (the size at which it would become a black hole) then that is 3x10^-53 m, which is much smaller than the Planck length (1.6x10^-35 m). Furthermore a black hole of mass less than the Planck mass (2x10^-8 kg) would evaporate by Hawking radiation in less than the Planck time (5x10^-44 s). The Plank length, mass and time are believed to be the smallest physically meaningful length, mass and time respectively (according to quantum mechanics). In a nutshell, a black hole as small as an atom can't exist, according to current theories.
 
  • #7
DOH! of course the Planck mass is not the smallest physically meaningful mass. But now wonder why that is though to be true of the Planck time and length? Anybody know?
 
  • #8
dgwsoft said:
DOH! of course the Planck mass is not the smallest physically meaningful mass. But now wonder why that is though to be true of the Planck time and length? Anybody know?
Pop-science presentations most likely
 

Related to If you condense an atom, would it make a black hole?

1. What is an atom?

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It is made up of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons orbiting around the nucleus.

2. How can an atom be condensed?

An atom can be condensed by applying extreme pressure and/or temperature to the nucleus, causing the particles to be pushed closer together. This can also be achieved by removing some of the space between the particles, such as in a vacuum.

3. Would condensing an atom really create a black hole?

No, condensing an atom would not create a black hole. A black hole is formed when a massive star collapses under its own gravity, not from the condensation of a single atom.

4. Can any type of atom be condensed into a black hole?

No, only atoms with a very large mass, such as those found in neutron stars, have the potential to become black holes. The mass of an atom would need to be compressed to a very small size, known as the Schwarzschild radius, in order to become a black hole.

5. What would happen to the black hole if the condensed atom was no longer under extreme pressure?

If the extreme pressure and/or temperature was removed from the condensed atom, it would likely expand back to its original size. However, if the condensed atom was able to maintain its compressed state, it could potentially continue to grow in size and become a larger black hole.

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