How do black holes affect time?

How do black holes affect time?

Black holes have a significant effect on time due to their immense gravitational pull. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, time slows down in stronger gravitational fields. So, near a black hole, time would pass more slowly compared to areas further away.

Can you explain that with an example?

Sure! Imagine you are near a black hole and your friend is far away in space. If you spent an hour near the black hole, you might return to find that many years have passed for your friend. This is known as time dilation.

What happens if someone falls into a black hole?

If someone falls into a black hole, they would experience extreme gravitational forces, leading to a phenomenon called 'spaghettification,' where they would be stretched and compressed. From an outside observer's perspective, they would appear to slow down and never actually cross the event horizon.

Is time travel possible with black holes?

Theoretically, black holes could allow for time travel due to their effects on spacetime. However, practical time travel remains speculative and poses many challenges.