What condition leads to the formation of a black hole instead of a neutron star remnant?
Remnant core mass exceeds the maximum stable mass for a neutron star
The final fate of the core hinges on whether the gravitational forces can be successfully resisted by the internal pressure of the crushed matter following the supernova shockwave. If the mass of the remnant core falls below the critical threshold, estimated near three solar masses, the quantum mechanical resistance known as neutron degeneracy pressure successfully stabilizes the structure, resulting in a neutron star. However, if the core mass surpasses this limit, gravity becomes overwhelmingly dominant. In this scenario, even neutron degeneracy pressure is insufficient to halt the compression. Gravity overcomes all known forces, causing the core to collapse indefinitely to a point of infinite density called a singularity, forming a black hole, from which nothing, not even light, can escape the boundary defined by its event horizon.
