Black Holes Daniel Keliher, Devon Bray, Haley Estabrook
Science 2B
10 April, 2010
Black holes are regions of space that nothing, not even light, can escape from. They are defined by the bounds of
the horizon, and through that the singularity. The black hole itself has near zero volume and near infinite density
and gravitational pull.
FORMATION
The most common theory for how a Black hole
forms is that a colossal celestial body such as a
massive star (more than three times the size
and density of out own sun) reaches the ends
of its life. When it does so, it is speculated that
under its own gravity it collapses in on itself.
Leaving behind a compact mass of near infinite
density.
THE HORIZON
The horizon is the center of the whole area of
the black hole. The part where the strength of
gravity is so high that not even light can
escape. Once something crosses into the
horizon it can not escape. The horizon is in a
sense moving outward as fast as light.
However in another sense it is a static “thing”
in space. Nobody knows what the horizon
would contain. But for the most part it is likely
that the fabric of space, and spacetime itself is
distorted.
THE SINGULARITY
The singularity of a black hole, is the black holes center. A point in space with zero volume and
infinite density and thus the pull of gravity is infinitely strong. This is a point that scientists know very
little about. But theory states that at this point the laws of physics break down and cease to function
as we are accustom. At this point both space and time have an infinite curvature. Compacted and
forced into the singularity both space a time, like the laws of physics, cease to exist as we know them.
GRAVITY IN A BLACK HOLE
Black holes come about when a star or other celestial body of sufficient mass undergoes a
gravitational collapse. In such an event the mass of an object would collapse and all of its mass
would be condensed into a small area. This area, or curve in space, would have a massive
gravitational pull. It is so strong that not even light can escape it. In fact nothing known to exist can
escape. This has to do with the speed that things travel at. For example, the space shuttle has to
reach a breakaway velocity in order to escape the gravity of the earth. The gravity of a black hole is
so strong that nothing can travel at a sufficient speed to escape its gravitational pull.
Spaghettification
Spaghettification is the process of
being stretched in a black hole. In
theory something would be
stretched down to single particles.
This happens because of gravity.
The gravity at the top of the
object is less than that of the
gravity being exerted on the part
closer to the black hole. This even
happens on earth but the
difference is unnoticeable. The
gravity pulling on your head is
less than that at your feet because
your feet are closer to the mass of
the earth where gravity is
stronger. However a human body
can not take being exerted like
this. After a moment of being
stretched a body would snap in
two. Your torso would be one
half, and you legs and hips
another half. As what was left of
you continued to fall both halves
would bifurcate. You would
divide exponentially until you
were reduced to a string of
unrecognizable particles.