what are the steps that take place during black hole formation, in the correct order?

Answer 1

The process of black hole formation goes through a series of steps, generally following this order:

1. Stellar Collapse: A massive star, usually many times more massive than our Sun, reaches the end of its lifespan.
2. Core Collapse: The star's core runs out of nuclear fuel, causing it to no longer generate enough pressure to counterbalance its own gravity.
3. Supernova Explosion: The core collapse triggers a supernova explosion, resulting in the ejection of outer layers of the star into space.
4. Neutron Star or Black Hole Formation: Depending on the mass of the collapsing core, it can either form a neutron star or a black hole.
- If the core is below a certain threshold mass (usually around 3 times the Sun's mass), it will form a neutron star, which is an extremely dense remnant made up mostly of neutrons.
- If the core is above the threshold mass, it will collapse further, forming a black hole.
5. Singularity Formation: In the case of black hole formation, the core continues collapsing to such an extent that it forms an infinitely dense point called a singularity.
6. Event Horizon Generation: The singularity creates a gravitational well so intense that it warps spacetime to a point where even light cannot escape its gravitational pull. This boundary is known as the event horizon, which marks the point of no return.

It's important to note that these steps provide a simplified version of the process, and there are more complex details involved in black hole formation.