(53) Brian Cox on how black holes could unlock the mysteries of our universe

Black Holes

Regions in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from them.

Event Horizon

The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which no information or matter can escape.

Escape Velocity

The minimum speed needed for an object to break free from the gravitational attraction of a celestial body.

Singularity

A point in a black hole where gravitational forces compress matter to infinitely small volume, and spacetime curvature becomes infinite.

Hawking Radiation

Thermal radiation predicted to be emitted by black holes due to quantum effects near the event horizon.

Quantum Theory of Gravity

A theoretical framework that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics.

Quantum Entanglement

A phenomenon where pairs or groups of particles become interconnected in such a way that the quantum state of one particle cannot be described independently of the others.

Black Hole Information Paradox

The dilemma regarding the fate of information that falls into a black hole and whether it is destroyed or preserved.

Emergent Spacetime

The hypothesis that space and time are not fundamental entities but emerge from more basic underlying structures or interactions.

General Relativity

Einstein's theory of gravitation that describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass.

Quantum Mechanics

The branch of physics dealing with the behavior of matter and light on very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles.

Gravitational Pull

The force exerted by a mass, attracting other masses toward its center.