Episode 145: Relativity and Black Holes

The Science of Everything Podcast

Continuing our series on General Relativity, we discuss the derivation of the Schwarzschild metric as a vacuum solution to Einstein's Field Equations, and analyse the physical meaning of this solution, including the properties of the singularity, event horizon, and effects of time dilation and length compression. We then consider how solutions like the Schwarzschild metric yield testable predictions such as gravitational lensing and graviational redshift, which serve as important evidence in support of General Relativity. We conclude with a discussion about some of the more exotic aspects of black holes, including Hawking radiation, the no hair theorem, and the black hole information loss paradox. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 136: Introduction to General Relativity.

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