Why would the nuke trigger a chain reaction and destroy the planet?

Question

I have heard of this theory a bunch before, but I don’t really understand chemistry of physics enough to make sense of it.

In: 0

Answer 1

Basically, in the right circumstances of high temperature and pressure hydrogen can combine into helium and give off a large amount of energy. Some scientists were worried that the nuclear bomb would create a set of conditions that would allow these hydrogen fusion reactions to start a chain and set the atmosphere on fire.