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Assuming that when an electron that changes energy states in an atom, and moves to a different orbit around the nucleus, but does not move through the space between orbits when it changes states, an electron is not strictly confined to spacetime. Then, since the event horizon of a black hole is a extreme distortion of spacetime, it would seem possible that a [EDIT: free] electron could "evade" this limit and escape a black hole.

To clarify, I am not suggesting that all of the electrons would escape, just some of them. Persumably, most of the electrons would be forced to bind with protons and form neutrons.

I'm just trying to get this idea clear in my head, so I assume I may have to make some edits to get my point across.

chaz327
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No, and certainly not by the mechanism you describe.

The "orbits" of electrons around nuclei are structures created by the electromagnetic force. This force is mediated by photons, which cannot pass out of the event horizon by definition of the event horizon.

So even in the highly implausible scenario in which an atomic structure existed within a black hole, the notion of it defining an electronic orbital state outside of the event horizon is impossible.

I am not qualified to discuss how quantum tunneling (a phenomenon of which I was reminded by your question) and black holes would interact.

But your scenario is implausible simply because atoms are not a structure that can exist in a region of space as contorted as that near an event horizon.

Duncan Harris
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