Amount of black hole entropy inside the Universe?

In summary: For example, the photons left over from the Big Bang have an entropy of about 10^90 bits, and the ordinary matter has an entropy of about 10^100 bits. So we can compare this to the estimated entropy of black holes, which is much larger (10^98 bits for stellar-mass black holes in the observable universe). This is why black holes are considered to be major contributors to the total entropy of the universe. In summary, scientists are able to estimate the entropy of black holes in the universe by comparing it to the known entropy of ordinary matter and photons. This is why black holes are considered to be major contributors to the total entropy of the universe.
  • #1
bbbl67
212
21
Now, it's been said that the majority of the entropy in the universe resides within the cumulative entropy of black holes inside the universe. How do they know that?
Now, I'm not so interested in how they determine the black hole's entropy, I know there's a relatively simple formula for that. What I'm curious to know is how do they know what the absolute entropy of the rest of the universe is to compare it to the black holes within it?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
bbbl67 said:
Now, it's been said
By whom? Where?
 
  • Like
Likes jim mcnamara and malawi_glenn
  • #3
In order to answer we need references please.
 
  • #4
Please PM me when you have the reference you wish to discuss and I will reopen the thread for you. In the meantime, I have closed it to reduce the number of “we need references” replies
------------------------------------------------------------------
The OP has a reference and the thread is reopened
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes jim mcnamara
  • #5
Here's the reference:
Entropy in the Universe | Azimuth
https://johncarlosbaez.wordpress.com/2020/01/25/entropy-in-the-universe/

The entropy in all the photons in the Universe is even more! The Universe is full of radiation left over from the Big Bang. The photons in the observable Universe left over from the Big Bang have a total entropy of about 1090 bits. It’s called the ‘cosmic microwave background radiation’.

Black holes have immensely more entropy than anything listed so far. Egan and Lineweaver estimate the entropy of stellar-mass black holes in the observable Universe at 1098 bits. This is connected to why black holes are so stable: the Second Law says entropy likes to increase.
 
  • #6
bbbl67 said:
how do they know what the absolute entropy of the rest of the universe is
Because we know what "the rest of the universe" is made of: ordinary matter and photons. And we know how to calculate the entropy of those things.
 
  • Like
Likes bbbl67

FAQ: Amount of black hole entropy inside the Universe?

What is black hole entropy?

Black hole entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness within a black hole. It is a physical quantity that describes the number of microstates (possible configurations) of a black hole that correspond to its macroscopic properties, such as mass and charge.

How is the amount of black hole entropy calculated?

The amount of black hole entropy is calculated using the famous formula derived by physicist Jacob Bekenstein, S = kA/4, where S is the entropy, k is the Boltzmann constant, and A is the surface area of the black hole's event horizon. This formula relates the entropy of a black hole to its surface area, suggesting that the event horizon acts as a physical boundary for the black hole's entropy.

What is the relationship between black hole entropy and the second law of thermodynamics?

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system always increases over time. This law also applies to black holes, as the amount of black hole entropy can never decrease. This means that as matter and energy fall into a black hole, the black hole's entropy will always increase, never decreasing.

How does the amount of black hole entropy inside the Universe affect its overall entropy?

The amount of black hole entropy inside the Universe is relatively small compared to the total entropy of the Universe. However, black holes play a crucial role in the overall entropy of the Universe. As black holes absorb matter and energy, they also emit radiation, which increases the overall entropy of the Universe. This process helps to maintain the Universe's overall entropy at a high level, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics.

Can black hole entropy be destroyed?

According to current theories, black hole entropy cannot be destroyed. This is because the second law of thermodynamics states that entropy can never decrease, and black hole entropy is subject to this law. However, there is still much debate and research being done on the ultimate fate of black holes and their entropy. Some theories suggest that black holes may eventually evaporate and disappear, but the laws of thermodynamics would still apply, and the total entropy of the Universe would remain constant.

Similar threads

Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
1K
Back
Top