Exploring the Mystery of Black Holes and Singularities

In summary, a black hole is considered a bottomless pit in space-time because of its infinite density, which is necessary for its "escape velocity" to be greater than the speed of light. A larger black hole may not have infinite density, but it still must be massive enough that light cannot escape it. The concept of density can be confusing, as it is the mass per unit volume, and the singularity inside a black hole is where the density is infinite.
  • #1
photon
125
0
Why is it said that a black hole is a literally bottemless pit in space-time? If it weren't bottemless, then the singularity inside would not have to be of infinite density.

I'm not sure if I have missed anything important, so PLEASE help!
 
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  • #2
Yes, but a black hole is, by definition, of infinite density.\\


Well, the way you are putting it, that's true. In general, a black hole only has to be massive enough that light cannot escape it. (It's "escape velocity" is greater than the speed of light.)

A large (in volume) black hole would not have to have infinite density and would not be "a literally bottemless pit in space-time".
 
  • #3
What do you mean by "density" ?
Huh ?
mass/volume ?
mass=finite
volume<>0...(the radius of the horizon is not 0...)
so density is not infinite...or am I wrong ?
 
  • #4
I think he was talking about the singularity's density.
 

1. What is a black hole?

A black hole is a region in space with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, including light, can escape from it. This is due to the immense amount of mass compacted into a small space, creating a strong gravitational force.

2. How are black holes formed?

Black holes are formed when a massive star dies and its core collapses under its own gravity. This process is known as a supernova. The remaining mass of the star becomes so dense that it creates a singularity, a point of infinite density at the center of the black hole.

3. What is a singularity?

A singularity is a point in space where the laws of physics break down. It is a point of infinite density and zero volume. In the case of a black hole, the singularity is located at the center and is surrounded by the event horizon.

4. What is the event horizon?

The event horizon is the boundary of a black hole, where the gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape. Once an object crosses the event horizon, it is pulled into the black hole and cannot escape.

5. Can anything escape from a black hole?

No, nothing can escape from a black hole once it crosses the event horizon. However, some theoretical models suggest that information may be able to escape through quantum processes, but this is still a topic of debate among scientists.

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