Wormhole – What is it, how does it work, really exist?
The wormhole theory says that we can travel in the spacetime of the universe by entering a black hole. Learn how this would be possible.
The Wormhole theory came about in 1916. However, the name given at the time was not that.
It all began when the Austrian physicist Ludwig Flamm revised another physicist’s solution to the equations of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. It was then that Flamm realized another way.
According to the physicist, a “white hole” would be the theoretical inversion of black hole time. Thus, the inputs between both would be connected by a spacetime conduit.
Continuing the study in 1935, Einstein and physicist Nathan Rosen used relativity theory to suggest bridges across space-time. In this way, bridges would serve as shortcuts that could reduce travel time and distance.
These shortcuts were known as Einstein-Rosen Bridges. It was not until 1957 that scientist John Archibald Wheeler came up with the wormhole expression. This is because the analogy refers to the image of a worm that crosses inside a matter to get to the other side faster.
How does a wormhole work?
According to the theories, the wormhole has two mouths and a kind of throat connecting them. Thus, the entrance would be a black hole, the exit a white hole. Theory says that they could link dates and dimensions.
Well, let’s go in parts. The first part of this tunnel actually exists. Black holes are hyperdense objects located in the centers of galaxies. Also, there is no way to look directly at a black hole.
In this way we can know of its presence by its effect on matter near it, as the black holes swallow for themselves any and all matter around it. Another problem is that a black hole originates from a dying star, and is not capable of creating a wormhole itself.
However, there is no evidence of the second part of the tunnel, the white holes. Thus, the materials swallowed by black holes are lost in space / time. Therefore, no wormholes have been found to date.
Through the wormhole
There are some problems with wormhole theory. One is its size. This is because they are predicted to exist at microscopic levels, approximately 10 ^ -³³ centimeters. However, it is believed that as the universe expands, the holes also grow larger.
Its stability is another big problem. According to Einstein-Rosen theory, the holes would not be suitable for space-time travel because they collapse quickly.
For physicist Stephen Hsu, it takes a rather exotic type of matter to stabilize a wormhole. The researcher further states that it is unclear if such a matter exists.
On the other hand, new research has found a wormhole with exotic matter could remain open and unchanging for long periods of time.
In this sense, it is important to highlight that the so-called exotic matter is not the same as dark matter or antimatter. As such, it has negative energy density as well as a large negative pressure.
This kind of matter was only seen in the behavior of certain vacuum states as part of quantum field theory. So, if the hole contained enough matter, in theory it could be used to send information or space travelers.
In addition, the wormhole could not only connect two different regions within the universe, but also two distinct universes, allowing time travel as well.
However, the journey of humans is challenging. Physicist Kip Thorne says travel by humans is probably prohibited by the laws of physics.
Wormholes exist?
Well, so far no wormholes have been found, but perhaps because of their size, which makes it impossible for us to see them.
According to Paul Davies, physicist and theoretical cosmologist at the University of Arizona, the phenomena happen on subatomic scales, lasting seconds. He further suggests that wormholes large enough for a human to pass through may need a new form of physics, as yet unknown.
Is it possible to artificially create a wormhole?
The good news is that maybe it has already been created. Well, researchers from Spain have created a tiny magnetic wormhole.
The invention was able to connect two regions of space so that a magnetic field could travel between them. The bad news is that he is not able to carry material. However, physicists were able to create a tunnel allowing a magnetic field to disappear at one point and appear at another.
So you believe that in the future we can travel in time and space? Leave your comment below.