Five misconceptions about black holes

Abstract

Given the great interest that black holes arouse among non-specialists, it is important to analyse misconceptions related to them. According to the author, the most common misconceptions are that: (1) black holes are formed from stellar collapse; (2) they are very massive; (3) they are very dense; (4) their gravity absorbs everything; and (5) they are black. The objective of this work is to analyse and correct these misconceptions. This article may be useful as pedagogical material in high school physics courses or in introductory courses in undergraduate physics.