Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: geordief on 21/12/2020 14:38:31

Title: Are there any serious ideas floating around about Wormholes?
Post by: geordief on 21/12/2020 14:38:31

I have heard that they could be a consequence of intense gravitational environments where the spacetime curvature "shears" in some way.

Are there any coherent ideas going the rounds as to what consequences might follow if this idea had any firm basis and was able to be verified in some way?

What might observers of the sky be on the look out for example?

Something enormous?. Something tiny ? In between?

Title: Re: Are there any serious ideas floating around about Wormholes?
Post by: evan_au on 21/12/2020 21:20:37

An Einstein-Rosen bridge is a serious mathematical model which allows for wormholes.
- But we don't know if they exist in the real universe.
- One possible appearance of a 1-way wormhole could appear as a black hole: Stuff goes in, and doesn't come out again (because it ends up somewhere else).
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole#Einstein%E2%80%93Rosen_bridges

Title: Re: Are there any serious ideas floating around about Wormholes?
Post by: geordief on 22/12/2020 02:26:40

Quote from: evan_au on 21/12/2020 21:20:37

An Einstein-Rosen bridge is a serious mathematical model which allows for wormholes.
- But we don't know if they exist in the real universe.
- One possible appearance of a 1-way wormhole could appear as a black hole: Stuff goes in, and doesn't come out again (because it ends up somewhere else).
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole#Einstein%E2%80%93Rosen_bridges

Thanks.
I looked at thst page.It seems interesting but I have to admit it was very hard going for me.

But can I also ask whether wormholes  are only found in  models of General Relativity or are there any Quantum models that address the subject at all?

Title: Re: Are there any serious ideas floating around about Wormholes?
Post by: Colin2B on 22/12/2020 08:55:42

Quote from: geordief on 22/12/2020 02:26:40

But can I also ask whether wormholes  are only found in  models of General Relativity or are there any Quantum models that address the subject at all?

That’s probably like asking if there is a quantum model of a solar system or a galaxy. Quantum deals with effects at extremely small dimensions and when scaled up many of the effects ‘average out’* and are not noticeable. However, there are quantum effects in the areas surrounding black holes and would also be around wormholes if they exist. Interestingly, relativity is relevant at the quantum level.

*not a proper description, but you get the idea.

Title: Re: Are there any serious ideas floating around about Wormholes?
Post by: geordief on 22/12/2020 11:46:35

Quote from: Colin2B on 22/12/2020 08:55:42

However, there are quantum effects in the areas surrounding black holes and would also be around wormholes if they exist. Interestingly, relativity is relevant at the quantum level.

Any particular example of how a quantum effect might have a bearing on how a wormhole would be expected  to behave (or be observed) if it did turn out that they existed in Nature?

Are there any behaviours that could be ruled out owing to the constraints of QM?

I remember how Black Holes were considered outlandish in the past.

Is there any chance that Wormholes too might be  detected in the future?