How massive can black holes grow?

How heavy is the heaviest black hole? Can it get any heavier? To understand that we have to understand how black holes grow and how they're limited by the physics of accretion of material. So it got me wondering how long it would take to grow a black hole that contains all the matter in the entire Universe... Of course, it turns out that's not entirely physically possible...

Here are the links to all the papers cited in the video:

---------

Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when I post a new video!

-----------

Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

------------

[GabeTStarman]

I appreciate your effort in making everything you talk about interesting and easy to listen to. Never stop!

[RT.]

The production value of your vids just keep getting better and better! Really awesome nerdy technical stuff presented in such a fun and lighthearted way, thank you Dr.

[Steve_V]

Thank you so much for your hard work on these videos! You are wonderful at taking complex things and chunking it down to concepts that are understandable. If you ever offer an online course(beyond what amazing stuff you do here), please let me know and I'd sign up instantly.

[deslomator]

It takes skill to deliver an accessible explanation of so many concepts in one video, nice job.

[MarcoLiedekerken]

2:27 "Depending on the accretion dixxs temperature"

My chuckle moment of today :p

[joostvisser]

"My arch nemesis at the minute is grass" I laughed at that way too much xD

[losttribe]

9:55

That’s all I can offer on this video. I ain’t none too smartest. 😆😆

[gatecrasher]

I could look at and listen to you all day. Informative video. The bloopers at the end was also funny. Looking forward to more.

[aarontyler]

You do an excellent job at explaining such complex phenomena

[chrisswan]

2 of my favorite things, You AND Jeniffer Lawrence, in one video.

I love your enthusiasm and passion. And how you talk with your hands.

[STohme]

Very nice talk on a complex subject. Many thanks Rebecca.

[djschultz]

I appreciate your ability and attitude for science education! This is good youtube channel.

[memermetalthemiddleagedaut]

I love your videos so much I pre ordered the book

[ricksli]

Awsome, beauty, humor, and brain do mix very well. I like yours video, thank you

[alandavis]

Thanks Becky for an intelligent and fascinating insight into the properties of black holes, you are a breath of fresh air, we need more people like you to educate and share knowledge, keep up the good work.

[mycount]

Thanks Becky, learned something new today ... size limit of black holes and them winking out.

[LeeBotton]

This is brilliant! Such a great explanation. Really enhanced my understanding. Thank you!

[ImadogGarcia]

Black hole: I will eat everything
Physics: You can‘t
Black hole: crying

[ricardolopez]

It was discovered in the 50's in mexico in tonazintla puebla radio telescope, and it was in the catalogue number 618, hence the name ton 618, but still they can't see it's host galaxy due to be so bright the hyper luminous quasar that it almost blocks the whole galaxy

[Paxaboll]

Thanks for your content! You have a very easy manner and explain things quite well. Keep up the good work; a star in the making with a nebula, you are.