Black holes

Definition

A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. They are formed from the remnants of massive stars that have collapsed under their own gravity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The boundary around a black hole beyond which nothing can escape is called the event horizon.
2. Black holes are predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity.
3. The singularity at the center of a black hole is a point of infinite density and zero volume where current physical theories break down.
4. Hawking radiation is theoretical radiation that black holes emit due to quantum effects near the event horizon.
5. There are three main types of black holes: stellar-mass, supermassive, and intermediate-mass.

Review Questions

• What is the event horizon in the context of a black hole?
• Explain what happens at the singularity of a black hole according to General Relativity.
• What role does Hawking radiation play in our understanding of black holes?

Related terms

Event Horizon:

The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which no information or matter can escape.

Singularity:

A point within a black hole where gravitational forces compress matter to infinite density and zero volume.

Hawking Radiation: Hypothetical radiation predicted by Stephen Hawking that results from quantum effects near the event horizon of a black hole.