What I find confusing about black holes is their size... If they are a singularity at their center, why are some bigger than others? Is there a minimum size matter can be compressed to? Or is the size more about the event horizon, larger mass = larger event horizon, but the matter is still compressed into a singularity inside?
"...larger mass = larger event horizon, but the matter is still compressed into a singularity inside..." is the general consensus. There are theoretical models that differ there.
In an outside observer's reference frame, none of the matter that falls into a black hole ever crosses the horizon. The singularity is a point in spacetime where you can't solve the field equations, no one really thinks it exists in reality. A working quantum theory of gravity will tell us what's really going on there.
You are a great speaker, Dr. Wilkins.
Good lecture!
What I find confusing about black holes is their size...
If they are a singularity at their center, why are some bigger than others? Is there a minimum size matter can be compressed to?
Or is the size more about the event horizon, larger mass = larger event horizon, but the matter is still compressed into a singularity inside?
"...larger mass = larger event horizon, but the matter is still compressed into a singularity inside..." is the general consensus. There are theoretical models that differ there.
rasher bilbo thanks!
In an outside observer's reference frame, none of the matter that falls into a black hole ever crosses the horizon. The singularity is a point in spacetime where you can't solve the field equations, no one really thinks it exists in reality. A working quantum theory of gravity will tell us what's really going on there.
Hang on a sec. I Forget fracknoy's first name already - why ain't he tell us no more?
Andrew, but he's at Foothill ( SV Astro' lect's ), not slack. Go back to
sleep, you need it :)
I think Fraknoi is a generic term for the person doing the introduction before a lecture.