Singularity, in mathematics and physics, is a point or region in which a particular rule or set of rules fails to yield sensible or understandable results. A singularity may involve infinite or nonsensical values. For example, the mathematical statement y = 1/x has a singularity at the point where x equals zero. As the value of x approaches zero, the value of y approaches infinity—in opposite directions, both positive and negative. In physics, when singularities occur, a model’s predictions fail to give meaningful results at that point or region.
The center of a black hole is characterized by a singularity. A black hole is a region of space whose gravitational pull is so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape it. Black holes are described by a theory in physics called general relativity (see Relativity (General relativity) ). The model predicts that all of a black hole’s matter is concentrated at a point in its center—the singularity. The known laws of physics seem to break down at such a point. General relativity also predicts that the initial state of the universe was a singularity at the time of the big bang (see Big bang ).
Singularities can challenge physicists to improve upon the theories in which they occur. For example, physicists once believed that radiation—such as light—flowed continuously as a wave. But this model of radiation had a troubling singularity. It predicted that certain bodies would give off infinitely powerful radiation at short wavelengths. In 1900, the German scientist Max Planck proposed a new model that eliminated the singularity. Planck’s model stated that radiation was not continuous but rather occurred in discrete chunks called quanta. This improved model formed the basis for quantum mechanics (see Quantum mechanics ). Scientists hope to combine quantum mechanics and general relativity into an improved theory that could resolve singularities in black holes and the big bang.
See also Black hole .
