What is ‘nuclear winter’ in Physics?

  • Also known as the nuclear twilight, this refers to the cooling and darkening of the globe that is expected to happen as a result of a severe nuclear explosion.
  • It is believed that the smoke, dust and other byproducts of a huge nuclear explosion could form a thick layer of soot over earth’s atmosphere and prevent the entry of sunlight to its surface.
  • It is also hypothesised that nuclear explosions could release chemicals that damage the ozone layer.
  • The term was coined by American scientist Carl Sagan in a 1983 pamphlet warning about the devastating effects of a nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Source:TH

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