Physics & Astronomy Colloquium – Dr. Matt Duez

About the event

Making Sense of Black Holes

The mathematical description of a black hole is quite simple, but its implications are startling and took a long time to understand.  The difficulty is one common in theoretical physics:  our mathematical model is an inseparable combination of an asserted physical reality and of how we have chosen to describe it (coordinates, bases, gauges).  In this talk, I will walk through some questions and paradoxes regarding black holes:  What is the nature of the event horizon?  If an event horizon is a surface of no escape, how can it seem like ordinary space when one is passing through?  If a black hole interior can’t communicate with the outside universe, how can one be sucked in?  What does a black hole look like when seen up close?  How can we tell if two different mathematical descriptions actually represent the same black hole?  Throughout, I will emphasize general strategies of sense making in physics.

Or join us via zoom:

https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/87005247557

Password: Physics