6.6 Flashcards
What is a black hole?
A black hole is a region in space where gravity is so strong that even light cannot escape. This intense gravity results from matter being compressed into a tiny space, often occurring at the end of a star’s life.
Why are black holes invisible?
Black holes are invisible because no light can escape from them due to their strong gravitational pull.
How can black holes be detected if they are invisible?
Space telescopes with special instruments can detect black holes by observing the behavior of nearby material and stars that are influenced by the black hole’s gravity.
What are primordial black holes?
Primordial black holes are thought to have formed in the early universe, soon after the Big Bang.
How do stellar black holes form?
Stellar black holes form when the center of a very massive star collapses in on itself, creating a supernova explosion that blasts part of the star into space.
What is a supernova?
A supernova is an exploding star that occurs when a massive star collapses, releasing a powerful blast that ejects part of the star into space.
How do supermassive black holes form?
Scientists believe supermassive black holes formed at the same time as the galaxies they are in, with their size and mass being related to the size and mass of their host galaxy.
What is the relationship between a supermassive black hole and its galaxy?
The size of a supermassive black hole is related to the size and mass of the galaxy it is in.
