But if it is, the committee is unlikely to make Dr Hawking wait for what would be a richly deserved accolade.If anything in physics is known for sure, it is that.

• 实际上，它们将蒸发掉时发射出的能量称之为霍金辐射，根据还活在世上的著名科学家斯蒂芬霍金命名。