Dictionary

conic singularity

A particular type of spacetime singularity (i.e. a boundary where spacetime ends) that is not associated with curvature, but instead is the analogue of the pointed tip of a cone.

More information about the different types of singularity can be found in the spotlight text Spacetime singularities.

Definitioner

singularity

Irregular boundary of spacetime in general relativity - region where spacetime simply comes to an end. Often, such boundaries are associated with spacetime curvature growing beyond all bounds and becoming infinitely large - so-called curvature singularities (notably Ricci singularities or Weyl singularities - but there are exceptions (for instance a conic singularities). According to general relativity, a singularity exists inside every black hole, and the starting point of any universe described by a big bang model is a singularity as well. The occurrence of singularities is a failure of general relativity - and a strong indication that the theory is incomplete. Instead, one could describe the earliest universe and the interior of black holes using a theory of quantum gravity. More information about singularities can be found in the spotlight texts Spacetime singularities and Of singularities and breadmaking.

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conic singularity

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