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The "why" of discovery might be more in the philosophical than the scientific realm; it's safe to assume in general terms that curiosity is a big motivating force behind discovery. In one sense, the reason behind black holes' discovery may have been somewhat indirect or even unintended; they appeared in solutions to Einstein's field equations from General Relativity, which is basically the theory of gravity that has proved to be most consistent with observation. Subsequently, other scientists stepped forward with mathematical solutions that described a consistent theoretical framework for their existence; thereafter, the hunt for observational evidence began. Study of radiation from Cygnus X-1 is generally believed to place it as the first black hole identified.
Note that quasars, now generally accepted as being powered by supermassive black holes, were discovered about a dozen years earlier, but their significance in relation to black holes not really understood and accepted until almost a decade after the compelling evidence from Cygnus.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoEinstein's theory of relativity shows that matter and energy (as we know them) do not travel faster than light. Every astronomical object (star, planet, etc.) has a certain gravitational field which has associated with it an escape velocity, meaning the speed that an object must attain in order to be able to escape from that gravitational field. The stronger the gravitational field, naturally the higher the escape velocity will be. So, what happens when the escape velocity exceeds the speed of light? Since nothing can travel that fast, therefore, nothing can escape. That defines a black hole. I will add that a loophole was discovered much later by Stephen Hawking, so it turns out that some things (Hawking Radiation) do escape, by means of quantum mechanics.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoOur modern understanding of black holes relies heavily on the General Theory of Relativity. You might say that it is ALL about General Relativity. The black hole distorts space and time in such a way that light inside a certain volume of space (inside the event horizon) can't escape.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA sudden shift in the stars formation can create a black hole.
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How will Stephen hawking's theory about black holes help the world?
This will help the world by helping us more understand about black holes for when we are able to travel farther into the universe.
What ideas did Stephen hawking help develop?
he helped develop the big bang theory and also theories about black holes with their temperature and radiation!
What did Stephen Hawking do that made him so famous and how does it help us today?
Stephen hawking is the smartest person in the world with the highest IQ in the world
What effect did black hole's give us on society?
Black holes will help us know more about how things grow, live and die. Rod's answer ; Black holes help us to know that if we don't ask Jesus into our hearts before we die, we will be in one forever. Just finishing my book showing the similarities between black holes and Hell and the Lake of Fire. No joke. God's out there for real!
How does Stephen hawkings theory of black holes help us?
The discoveries of Stephen Hawkings (and lots of other scientists) help us get a better understanding of how the Universe works. It is not always clear in advance what benefits we get from such an understanding, but if you look at the past, an understanding of the Universe has helped us quite a lot.
Did someone help Einstein discover his Theory of Relativity?
Did someone help Albert Einstein discover his Theory of Relativity?
How will Stephen hawking's theory about black holes help the world?
This will help the world by helping us more understand about black holes for when we are able to travel farther into the universe.
Can the theory of relativity E equals MC2 help us with faster space travel?
The theory of relativity can help you but not with the equation E=mc^2 E=mc^2 is just a conversion between mass and energy.
Was Albert Einstein the inventor of relativity?
Well he didn't exactly invent it or even discover it but he did develop the theory of relativity to help us all understand it.
What ideas did Stephen hawking help develop?
he helped develop the big bang theory and also theories about black holes with their temperature and radiation!
Who developed a theory of relativity which helped lead to the atomic energy?
Albert Einstein developed a Theory of Relativity which helped lead to the development of atomic energy. He also worked on the Manhattan Project to help create the world's first nuclear bomb.
What is an economic theory that a country's strength is measured by the amount of gold it has?
holes are no help
What did Albert Einstein do to help?
He invented atomic power He came up with the theory of Relativity. He came up with the theory of Gravity. He had all these equations like E=mc2
What did Stephen Hawking do that made him so famous and how does it help us today?
Stephen hawking is the smartest person in the world with the highest IQ in the world
What effect did black hole's give us on society?
Black holes will help us know more about how things grow, live and die. Rod's answer ; Black holes help us to know that if we don't ask Jesus into our hearts before we die, we will be in one forever. Just finishing my book showing the similarities between black holes and Hell and the Lake of Fire. No joke. God's out there for real!
How does Stephen hawkings theory of black holes help us?
The discoveries of Stephen Hawkings (and lots of other scientists) help us get a better understanding of how the Universe works. It is not always clear in advance what benefits we get from such an understanding, but if you look at the past, an understanding of the Universe has helped us quite a lot.
Can you break down the parts of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity?
We know that einstein theory of general relativity is composed of different parts,but they are all related.If we break down into parts it will not have true sense or meaning.The different parts are all needed to help each other.Its more like an egg.There is the shell,the white part and the yolk.They are all part of an egg but we can never say that only the yolk or the shell or the white part is the egg.Both the shell and the yolk also cannot be said as a true egg.Only when the shell,the white part and the yolk are in combination it is a true egg.Just like that relativity is also a single theory made of different parts.So relativity cannot be break down into parts.When all the parts are combined we have one brilliant theory.RELATIVITY.
