Earth and Space

Einstein on black holes

Stories from Physics for 11-14 14-16 IOP RESOURCES

Einstein disliked the notion of singularities (points of infinite gravitational field strength at the core of black holes) and argued that future models might do away with the need for the construct. In a paper in Annals of Mathematics in 1939, he concluded that: “The essential result of this investigation is a clear understanding as to why the ‘Schwarzschild singularities’ do not exist in physical reality.” Einstein’s intuition has not (yet) been proven right.

References

IOP AWARDS 2025

Teachers of Physics Awards

The Teachers of Physics Award celebrates the success of secondary school physics teachers who have raised the profile of physics and science in schools. Nominations for 2025 are now open.

Start your nomination now