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

Nuclear fusion using atoms ‘lighter’ than iron release more energy than the reaction consumes, the air is ~80% nitrogen which is lighter than an iron. Essentially they were worried about triggering a runaway fusion reaction that would basically blow up all the air earth.