Understanding Black Holes

These flashcards provide definitions and explanations of key terms and concepts related to black holes and their surrounding phenomena.

Accretionary Disk

A structure formed by matter swirling around a black hole, which can glow due to intense acceleration and collisions.

Event Horizon

The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which nothing can escape, including light.

X-rays

A type of high-energy radiation generated by atoms as they are accelerated and collide in the accretionary disk near a black hole.

Binary Systems

Star systems consisting of two stars orbiting around a common center, which can help in detecting the presence of a black hole.

Jets

Streams of particles emitted from the region surrounding a black hole, often detectable as they escape the area near the event horizon.

Radiation

Energy emitted from matter, particularly X-rays, as atoms collide and generate emissions during the black hole's accretion process.

Matter

Substance that occupies space and has mass, which when near a black hole is ripped apart and transformed in the accretionary disk.

Glowing

The emission of light, particularly intense due to the energy released from matter accelerating towards a black hole.