What Would Happen If a Mini Black Hole Went Through You? Scientists Finally Answer!

Scientists have long speculated about the existence of primordial black holes—tiny black holes that may have formed in the early universe. A recent study explores what would happen if one were to pass through a human body, determining the minimum size required to cause significant harm.

Black holes typically form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity, creating objects with immense density. However, primordial black holes are theorized to have emerged in the universe's first moments, when matter was densely packed. These could range in mass from less than a paperclip to millions of times that of the Sun. If they exist, they might pass through Earth undetected, with smaller ones potentially doing so daily.

The study considers two potential dangers: the shockwave generated by a supersonic black hole and the tidal forces that could rip cells apart. To cause damage similar to a bullet wound, the black hole would need a mass of approximately 1.4 × 10¹⁷ grams—comparable to an asteroid. However, to exert tidal forces strong enough to tear apart human cells, especially in the brain, the black hole would need to be even larger, between 7 × 10¹⁸ and 7 × 10¹⁹ grams.

While the thought experiment is fascinating, the likelihood of such an event is extraordinarily low. Even if primordial black holes make up dark matter, the probability of one injuring a person is estimated at just 10⁻¹⁸ per year—effectively impossible.