Black hole
Black hole is a term used in astrophysics to describe a region of space-time exhibiting gravitational acceleration so strong that nothing—no particles or even electromagnetic radiation such as light—can escape from it. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can deform space-time to form a black hole.
History[edit | edit source]
The idea of a body so massive that even light could not escape was first proposed by English geologist John Michell in a letter written to Henry Cavendish in 1783. The term "black hole" was coined many years later in 1967 by American astronomer John Wheeler.
Formation[edit | edit source]
Black holes are formed from the remnants of large stars following a supernova explosion. If the core remnant of a supernova has a mass greater than about three solar masses, the force of gravity overwhelms all other forces and produces a black hole.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Black holes have three "observable" properties: mass, spin (angular momentum), and electric charge. These properties are measurable through their effects on nearby matter and energy.
Types of Black Holes[edit | edit source]
There are three types of black holes: stellar black holes, supermassive black holes, and intermediate-mass black holes. Stellar black holes are formed by the gravitational collapse of a single massive star. Supermassive black holes, which are found at the center of nearly all currently known massive galaxies, have masses ranging from millions to billions of solar masses. Intermediate-mass black holes are thought to form through the merging of smaller black holes and stars.
Black Hole Paradox[edit | edit source]
The black hole information paradox, proposed by Stephen Hawking, is one of the most intriguing mysteries about black holes. It suggests that physical information could permanently disappear in a black hole, which is a direct violation of quantum mechanics.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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