A ‘black hole bomb’ has the potential to trigger a ‘catastrophic’ disaster if it were ever to detonate.
The discovery could lead to ‘one of the most powerful explosions in the universe’, according to artificial intelligence.
This is after ChatGPT has shared its own insights into what might unfold if the idea from theoretical physics ever becomes a reality.
What is a black hole bomb?
First up, what actually is a black hole bomb? The concept originally comes from theoretical physics, which “involves extracting energy from a rotating black hole through a process known as superradiant scattering.”
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ChatGPT explained: “In this process, certain waves (like electromagnetic or scalar waves) gain energy by interacting with the black hole's rotation.
“If these amplified waves are trapped—say, by a surrounding mirror-like structure—they can bounce back and forth, gaining more energy with each pass.
“This feedback loop could lead to an exponential increase in energy, potentially resulting in an enormous explosion.”
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Scientists have conducted simulations of the theory within lab settings, with one team of researchers from the University of Southampton having experimented with the phenomenon using a rotating metal cylinder and electromagnetic fields to mimic the energy amplification predicted by the black hole bomb theory.
And while these tests don’t actually involve any real black holes, they do “provide valuable insights into the underlying physics.”
What would happen if a black hole bomb detonated?
However, if the scenario were to happen in real life, it would be catastrophic, according to ChatGPT.
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The AI bot explained: “If a black hole bomb were somehow constructed and detonated, the energy release could be comparable to that of a supernova, one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. Such an event would release vast amounts of radiation and could have devastating effects on its surroundings.
“However, the practical challenges of building such a device are insurmountable with current technology, and the concept remains a theoretical exploration rather than an impending threat.”
But don’t panic just yet, as ChatGPT went on to explain that the idea of the bomb is far from a reality.
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It concluded: “While the idea of a black hole bomb is fascinating and serves as a valuable thought experiment in theoretical physics, it remains firmly in the realm of speculation. Current research focuses on understanding the principles of energy extraction from rotating systems, which could have applications in various fields of physics.
“There's no cause for concern about such a device being developed or detonated in reality.”