Theoretical model offers a new perspective on black hole formation and evolution

Ingrid Fadelli is a writer for Phys.org.

Black holes are regions in space that are so intense that no matter or radiation can escape. They are solutions to Einstein's field equations with a point of unphysical infinite density at their center.

The matter that went into forming a black hole ends up at its center, according to the classical theory of general relativity. This specific prediction is called the Singularity problem.

Stephen Hawking showed that black holes emit energy and disappear slowly. His work suggests that the radiation emitted by black holes doesn't have all the information that went into its formation. This is referred to as the information loss problem in astrophysics.

A theoretical model developed by researchers at the University of NewBrunswick would address both the information loss problem and the singularity problem, while also showing how matter collapses to form black holes. They came up with a model that gives an alternate perspective on the formation and evolution of black holes.

The question of the fate of a black hole and what happens to the matter that formed it has been an open problem for fifty years. We know a lot about how collapsing matter forms black holes in general relativity, but the question of how collapse occurs in quantum gravity is also an open problem.

The aim of the recent work by Husain and his colleagues was to introduce a model that addresses the problem and the collapse at the same time. To do this, they used a construct of loop quantum gravity and classical equations to describe the collapse of space.

The simplest type of matter, dust, exerts no pressure because it is described by a manageable equation that can be solved on a laptop.

Sergei K. Godunov is a renowned Russian scientist who was conducting research on fluid flow problems. This method can handle shock wave formation, the physical phenomenon that occurs when an object moves at supersonic speeds and pushes on the surrounding air.

We followed the evolution of a cloud of collapsing dust particles until it formed a black hole.

The quantum gravity-corrected equation was introduced by Husain and his colleagues. It suggests that matter falls into the center of the black hole, reaches a large but finite density, and then bounces back, forming a shock wave.

The researchers said that quantum gravity effects are important at the shock wave and allow it to move outside the black hole.

The lifetime of a black hole can be calculated using the numerical tool introduced by Godunov. The lifetime of the black hole is shorter than predicted. More studies will need to be carried out to confirm that their model can help resolve the information loss problem.

The production of shock waves in the development of black holes is explained by the equation outlined by Husain and his colleagues. In the future, it could prompt astronomy to look into the possibility of detecting shock waves from black holes.

If this turns out to be possible, our results may provide a ready explanation, but this also requires further careful exploration. If this is the case, shock waves could be a universal sign of the death of a black hole.

More information: Viqar Husain et al, Quantum Gravity of Dust Collapse: Shock Waves from Black Holes, Physical Review Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.121301 Journal information: Physical Review Letters

The Science X Network will be launched in 2022.

Citation: Theoretical model offers a new perspective on black hole formation and evolution (2022, April 22) retrieved 22 April 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-04-theoretical-perspective-black-hole-formation.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.