Can a New Law of Physics Explain a Black Hole Paradox?

Quanta Magazine2 minutes read

The universe tends towards thermal equilibrium, but quantum entanglement and complexity play a role in the ongoing growth of black holes, challenging traditional physics laws. Leonard Susskind proposes a second law of quantum complexity to account for the endless expansion of black hole interiors.

Insights

  • Quantum entanglement defies thermal equilibrium in the universe, leading to the development of the second law of quantum complexity by Leonard Susskind.
  • The concept of complexity equilibrium, distinct from thermal equilibrium, plays a critical role in understanding the perpetual growth of black holes, as explained by Susskind and his peers.

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Recent questions

  • How does entropy affect the evolution of black holes?

    Entropy plays a crucial role in the evolution of black holes. While entropy increases in a closed system like a black hole, leading to thermal equilibrium where nothing changes, quantum entanglement continues to evolve. This evolution, despite thermal equilibrium, is explained by the second law of quantum complexity. This concept suggests that complexity equilibrium, not just thermal equilibrium, is essential for systems like black holes. Therefore, entropy alone does not fully explain the ongoing growth and evolution of black holes.

  • What challenges do black holes pose to standard physics laws?

    Black holes present significant challenges to standard physics laws. One of the key challenges is the seemingly infinite expansion of the interiors of black holes. This expansion contradicts traditional physics principles and has led to the discovery that the interior of black holes can grow endlessly due to quantum complexity. This phenomenon has prompted the proposal of a second law of quantum complexity, similar to the second law of thermodynamics, to better understand the evolution of black holes.

  • How does quantum entanglement contribute to the evolution of black holes?

    Quantum entanglement plays a crucial role in the evolution of black holes. Despite reaching thermal equilibrium where entropy increases and nothing changes, quantum entanglement continues to evolve. This ongoing evolution is explained by the second law of quantum complexity, which suggests that complexity equilibrium is essential for systems like black holes. Quantum circuit complexity further elucidates the growth of black holes post-thermal equilibrium, highlighting the significance of quantum entanglement in the evolution of these celestial bodies.

  • What did Leonard Susskind discover about the growth of black holes?

    Leonard Susskind discovered that the interior of black holes can grow endlessly due to quantum complexity. This discovery challenges traditional physics laws and has led to the proposal of a second law of quantum complexity to better understand the evolution of black holes. Susskind's research highlights the importance of complexity equilibrium, in addition to thermal equilibrium, in explaining the ongoing growth and evolution of black holes.

  • Why is complexity equilibrium crucial for systems like black holes?

    Complexity equilibrium is crucial for systems like black holes because it explains the ongoing growth and evolution of these celestial bodies. While entropy increases in a closed system like a black hole, leading to thermal equilibrium where nothing changes, complexity equilibrium ensures that the system continues to evolve. The second law of quantum complexity, proposed by Leonard Susskind and colleagues, emphasizes the importance of complexity equilibrium in understanding the evolution of black holes post-thermal equilibrium.

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Summary

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"Quantum Complexity in Evolving Black Holes"

  • The universe, if a closed system like a black hole, will reach thermal equilibrium where entropy increases until nothing changes.
  • Quantum entanglement continues evolving despite thermal equilibrium, leading to the proposal of the second law of quantum complexity.
  • Black holes challenge standard physics laws, with their interiors seemingly expanding infinitely.
  • Leonard Susskind discovered the interior of black holes can grow endlessly due to quantum complexity.
  • Entropy, crucial in science and engineering, doesn't fully explain the evolution of black holes.
  • Complexity equilibrium, not just thermal equilibrium, is crucial for systems like black holes.
  • Quantum circuit complexity explains the ongoing growth of black holes post-thermal equilibrium.
  • Susskind and colleagues proposed a second law of quantum complexity, akin to the second law of thermodynamics, to understand the evolution of black holes.
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