What does the cosmic censorship conjecture assert in black hole physics?

• A. Singularities are always visible to distant observers.
• B. Singularities are hidden within event horizons, preserving spacetime predictability.
• C. Black holes cannot form singularities.
• D. Event horizons do not form around singularities.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that singularities produced by gravitational collapse are hidden behind an event horizon, so observers outside the black hole never witness the breakdown of physics. This keeps spacetime outside the horizon deterministic and predictable.

That’s why the statement about singularities being hidden within event horizons, preserving spacetime predictability, is the best description. If naked singularities could be seen, predictability would fail for external observers, which the conjecture aims to prevent. The conjecture doesn’t claim singularities can’t form at all; it claims they remain concealed behind horizons. And horizons are what define the black hole boundary that enshrouds the singularity.