Black hole Quote by Clifford A. Pickover
““Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has proved that if two black holes unite, the surface area of the final black hole must exceed the sum of the surface areas of the initial black holes. For these reasons the total black-hole portion of the universe is ever increasing.””
About This Quote
Source Scientific Paper: Hawking 1972 paper on black hole thermodynamics
The total surface area of black holes always grows when they merge, implying entropy increases universally.
In simple terms: Black holes get bigger when they merge, so entropy rises.
Key Takeaway
Recognize entropy’s relentless increase.
Themes
physics
entropy
cosmology
Mood
curious
thoughtful
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- public outreach
- science communication
Key Concepts
thermodynamics
general relativity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this principle affect our view of the universe?
- What does ever‑increasing entropy imply for the future?
A Different Perspective
Complex calculations limit direct public understanding.
![“Stephen Hawking won [Babson Institute competition ] one year with his black hole stuff. It's keeping an open mind on whether gravity exists or not. I think my father believed this because ... when the wind blew on him, he'd get angry, because it was something he couldn't control.” quote by Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d2f/paul-laffoley-7077_angry_stephen-hawking-won-babson-institute-com_267232.jpg)
