What's the SMALLEST Black Hole?
What Size Would Earth Become a Black Hole?
The Concept of Black Holes and Compression
- The discussion begins with the hypothetical scenario of compressing Earth to determine at what size it would become a black hole, indicating that this concept can be applied to any object, including humans.
- As Earth is compressed or as a star collapses, there is a counteracting force from electrons that resist being pushed closer together. This resistance leads to an increase in their motion.
The Balance Between Gravity and Electron Repulsion
- A critical point arises where gravity pulls inward while the jiggling electrons push outward. This creates a balance that determines whether an object becomes a white dwarf or continues collapsing into a black hole.
- The mathematical threshold for this balance is identified as 1.4 times the mass of our sun; below this mass, electron repulsion prevails, resulting in the formation of a white dwarf instead of further collapse into a black hole.