Feb 26 • 06:49 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

A pinch of antimatter can turn into vapor, three times more destructive than Hiroshima

A gram of antimatter could release energy equivalent to 43 kilotons of TNT, making it far more destructive than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Scientists assert that even a single gram of antimatter colliding with normal matter could release a staggering amount of energy—equivalent to 43 kilotons of TNT. This fact poses a shocking comparison, as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima had a yield of only 15 kilotons, indicating that antimatter could cause destruction on a much grander scale, potentially eradicating entire cities in moments. The juxtaposition of this hypothetical scenario serves to highlight the terrifying potential of antimatter in the realm of theoretical physics and weaponry.

Antimatter is essentially the opposite of normal matter; every particle of matter has a corresponding antiparticle that annihilates it upon contact, resulting in complete conversion to energy as explained by Einstein's equation E=mc². This contrasts sharply with nuclear weapons, which convert only a fraction (0.1%) of mass into energy. Therefore, understanding and exploring the implications of antimatter is crucial, not only for scientific insight but also for considering the ethical ramifications of its potential use in modern warfare.

The thought experiment of a gram of antimatter detonating in the heart of a large city, like Delhi, illustrates a catastrophic hypothetical, leading to immediate and widespread devastation. The urgency to comprehend antimatter extends beyond academia; it raises significant questions about safety, governance, and preventive measures against its potential misuse as technology advances in the future.

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