How Does Hawking Radiation Work?

Have you ever wondered that black holes emit light even though Light cannot escape it? That’s because of Hawking Radiation. So, how does Hawking Radiation work?

The Quantum Physics Involved

So, to understand that astonishing phenomenon, we first have to understand a bit of quantum physics. According to a PBS Space Time video¹, a so-called vacuum is filled with quantum fields. While positive frequencies represent normal particles, negative ones sample antimatter. This way, if these two are in a balance, it is a true vacuum. Therefore, virtual particles always pop out, and they are just tools for calculations for quantum fluctuations. However, if imbalances appear and some frequencies exceed the opposite one, a real particle forms. As a result, when matter and antimatter particles meet, they annihilate each other and disappear. And that’s what Hawking Radiation does.

How Does Hawking Radiation Work?

In ideal conditions, the particles annihilate as usual. However, the complex quantum mechanism kickstarts when the black hole disturbs the items by its enormous Gravity. The physics involved is incomprehensibly complicated that it has a lot of mathematical formulas and needs lots of imagination. For the definitive version, please look at the video in reference 1, which is embedded above.

To put it simply, the interactions happen at random times and locations. But, there’s a chance that the pair forms near the event horizon. If that occurs, a particle tries to fulfill the black hole’s massive appetite, but the other rockets through space. Then, something peculiar happens. The particle steals some energy from the bizarre object, causing the black hole to lose energy, and therefore, mass.

Due to some complex mathematical and quantum theorems, Hawking Radiation accelerates as the black hole becomes smaller and emits heat faster. In the final moments of the black hole’s life, it explodes violently with a tremendous temperature. Thus, if you’ve ever heard of the LHC producing gravitational monsters that can eat the entire planet, do not believe that. It is simply fallacious because of Hawking Radiation’s existence.

References, Credits, and Links

1. PBS Space Time, (2018, March 15). Hawking Radiation – YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPKj0YnKANw
2. (n.d.). What Is Hawking Radiation? – ScienceAlert. Retrieved December 2, 2020, from https://www.sciencealert.com/hawking-radiation
3. Kurzgesagt, (2015, December 15). Black Holes Explained – From Birth to Death – YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch/e-P5IFTqB98