Hawking Radiation
Hawking radiation is a theoretical prediction by physicist Stephen Hawking that black holes can emit radiation due to quantum effects near their event horizons. When particle-antiparticle pairs form just outside a black hole, one particle may be captured while the other escapes. This escaping particle becomes radiation that can be detected, leading to the slow loss of mass and energy from the black hole. Over time, this could cause the black hole to evaporate. Hawking radiation connects quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and gravity, suggesting that black holes are not completely black but can emit detectable energy.
Additional Insights
-
Hawking radiation is a theoretical prediction made by physicist Stephen Hawking, suggesting that black holes can emit radiation due to quantum effects near their event horizons. This occurs when particle-antiparticle pairs form near the black hole's edge; if one falls in and the other escapes, the escaping particle becomes radiation. This process means black holes can lose mass and potentially evaporate over time. Hawking radiation bridges concepts of quantum mechanics and general relativity, highlighting how black holes are not completely black but can emit detectable energy, challenging our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic entities.