What is the Difference Between Black Hole and Wormhole?

The main difference between a black hole and a wormhole lies in their nature and properties. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

1. Nature: A black hole is a cosmic body with extreme gravity, where nothing can escape once it crosses the event horizon. In contrast, a wormhole is a theoretical funnel-shaped space-time tunnel connecting two distant points in the universe.
2. Gravitational Pull: Objects cannot escape a black hole once they cross its event horizon due to the immense gravitational pull. However, according to the theoretical model of wormholes, objects would travel both into and out of them, allowing escape.
3. Existence: Black holes have solid proof of their existence, as they have been observed by scientists. Wormholes, on the other hand, are purely theoretical and have not been observed in real life.
4. Formation: Black holes form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity, creating a singularity. Wormholes, if they exist, are believed to be created by folding space and time, potentially connecting two different points in the universe.
5. Structure: A black hole has a central singularity, which is a point of infinite density. Wormholes, in theory, could be formed from spinning black holes, where the extreme centrifugal forces spread the singularity into a ring. This "ring singularity" might be an entrance to a wormhole. However, theoretical wormholes would not resemble those depicted in science fiction and would likely collapse if any matter entered them.

Comparative Table: Black Hole vs Wormhole

Here is a table highlighting the differences between black holes and wormholes:

In summary, a black hole is a point in space with immense gravity, while a wormhole is a theoretical bridge across spacetime linking distant places. Black holes are known to exist, whereas wormholes are still hypothetical and lack observational evidence.