Today the big topic was black holes: what they are, why they are called what they are, and implications of their existence. We also discussed the crazy things that could happen if we were near one or affected by one or more (in a bad way). The obvious disclaimer is that no one has ever been killed by one, and we're likely not going to be either.
Generally, a black hole is an object that is small enough (small radius) and massive enough (usually more massive than our sun) such that the escape velocity (the speed needed to outpace gravity's pull on an object) is faster than the speed of light, the universal speed limit. When this happens, nothing, not even light, can escape. (black).
Black holes aren't really super black, however, as there is radiation emitted from events just outside them that we do "see" as x-rays or gamma ray bursts - (higher E, shorter wavelength than visible light)
Tomorrow's topic: Star types (part II) and the life cycle of stars... one outcome of which is to become a black hole.
START STUDYING!!!! THIS IS A BIG TEST COMING UP!!!! It is over two chapters; six weeks of study; it is worth as much as two normal tests!
See yesterday's post for study ideas.
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