From: mk_thisisit
The standard general theory of relativity predicts that when a black hole event horizon forms, the matter inside collapses to a point called a singularity [00:02:12]. At this point, the density of matter and the curvature of space-time become infinite [00:02:32]. This is considered the biggest problem of the general theory of relativity, as infinite quantities do not exist physically and cannot be measured [00:02:40]. The presence of infinity indicates that the theory is incomplete [00:03:08].
Popławski’s Alternative to Singularities
Physicist Nikodem Popławski proposes an alternative to the traditional concept of singularities [00:00:16]. In his view, matter does not collapse to a singularity but rather collapses to a state of very high density, then stops, and begins to expand [00:03:13]. This expanding matter cannot return to its origin or go beyond the black hole’s event horizon because movement through it is one-way [00:03:37]. Since space-time inside a black hole is not static according to Einstein’s equations, the matter has no choice but to expand into a new space, which is interpreted as a new expanding universe on the other side of the event horizon [00:04:00]. Popławski’s concept suggests that every black hole, instead of creating a singularity, creates an Einstein-Rosen bridge (a space-time wormhole) to a new universe [00:00:33].
Role of Spacetime Torsion
The mechanism that prevents the formation of singularities in Popławski’s model is the “twisting of space-time” [00:05:56]. This concept is based on Cartan’s theory, an older generalization of the general theory of relativity developed in 1921 [00:26:04]. While normally assumed to be zero, allowing this torsion to be derived reveals that it becomes very strong at extremely high densities, such as those near a singularity or the Big Bang [00:50:35]. At these densities (around 10^45 kilograms per cubic meter, far denser than neutron stars at 10^17 kg/m^3), torsion acts as a repulsive force, preventing the singularity and causing matter to “bounce” instead [00:51:31]. This “Big Bounce” allows matter to expand into a new universe [00:51:53].
Inflationary Expansion
Popławski’s model further suggests that combining space-time torsion with the quantum production of particle-antiparticle pairs at high densities naturally explains the rapid, exponential expansion of the early universe known as inflation [00:52:17]. Unlike other inflation theories that require hypothetical scalar fields with multiple parameters, this model uses only one parameter, making it a more natural and less hypothetical explanation [00:54:03]. This inflation is not eternal but naturally ends as the space-time twist becomes negligible at lower densities [00:54:39].
Other Views on Singularities
Most scientists currently believe that black holes contain singularities, but they anticipate that a future quantum theory of gravity might offer a way to bypass them [00:05:40]. The quantum theory of gravity, particularly the uncertainty principle, suggests that it might be impossible to precisely determine the position or momentum of space-time on an atomic scale. This imprecision could imply that a singularity (a point or circle in rotating black holes) might not be infinitely dense or precisely localized, potentially resolving the problem of infinities [00:05:50].
The idea that space-time itself is fundamentally classical, rather than quantized with gravitons, is also proposed [00:42:06]. In this view, the curvature of space-time is a fundamental aspect, not an averaged effect of gravitons [00:43:28]. Matter, however, is quantized and interacts through other quantum forces (electromagnetism, weak, and strong interactions) within this curved classical space-time [00:43:50].
Scientific Recognition
Popławski’s concept of black holes creating new universes was recognized by National Geographic and Science magazine as one of the most important scientific concepts of the year [00:00:26], [00:42:28]. His article describing this idea became one of the most frequently cited in the history of Science News [00:47:04]. Morgan Freeman, in his “Curiosity” program, referred to Popławski as the “second Copernicus,” and the scientific search engine Scipro indicated him as Einstein’s successor [00:01:00], [00:04:42]. The theory is taken seriously by science, with Stephen Hawking having considered the possibility of black holes and new universes in an essay in the 1970s [00:05:02].