Could a single nuclear detonation set the entire atmosphere ablaze?
At the 1945 Trinity test, physicist Enrico Fermi famously wagered that the bomb's intense heat might trigger an unstoppable chain reaction, potentially destroying all life on Earth. This video examines the scientific reality behind this apocalyptic nuclear lore.
The dawn of the atomic age began at 5:30 AM on July 16, 1945, when the Trinity device detonated in New Mexico, releasing the energy of 18,000 tons of TNT. While the event was marked by the heavy reflections of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the bluntness of Kenneth Bainbridge, it also involved high-stakes scientific gambling.
Among the scientists, Enrico Fermi participated in a disturbing bet: that the explosion's heat could ignite the atmosphere. This footage explores whether such a catastrophic chain reaction is a physical possibility or merely a piece of nuclear mythology.
Source: Is It Really Possible for a Nuke to Ignite the Atmosphere?
