Category: Space > Hawking Radiation
One of the most intriguing phenomena related to black holes is the concept of "Hawking radiation," proposed by physicist Stephen Hawking in 1974. This theoretical radiation suggests that black holes are not completely black but instead emit small amounts of thermal radiation due to quantum effects near the event horizon. As particles are created and annihilated just outside the black hole, one particle may fall in while the other escapes, leading to a gradual decrease in the black hole's mass. This process implies that black holes can eventually evaporate over astronomical timescales, challenging the traditional notion that nothing can escape their grasp. The existence of Hawking radiation has profound implications for our understanding of gravity, quantum mechanics, and the fate of the universe, as it bridges the gap between these two fundamental areas of physics.