Can a Nuke Kill a Cockroach?
WouterCan a nuke kill a cockcock? It seems like an unlikely answer, but cockroaches have survived nuclear explosions before. During the Hiroshima bombing, cockroaches were the only signs of life in the ruins. This myth gained more popularity, until Mythbusters came along and dispelled the myth.
Nuclear explosions release not only radiation, but also heat. In fact, Hiroshima released 10,300 rads of radiation into the air. While this is high enough to kill a human, the radiation is not sufficient to kill a cockroach. The heat, however, will kill the insect instantly.
While some cockroaches may be resistant to radiation, this does not mean that they can survive nuclear explosions. In fact, the radiation emitted by a nuclear explosion will be so high that they will not be able to live for long. The only way a cockroach can survive nuclear explosions is if it’s near the epicenter of the explosion. If it were to survive the explosion, it would have to be incredibly lucky, as the roach would have lost its entire ecosystem.
While many species of cockroaches are known for being resistant to radiation, they are also hardy and resilient. Some people believe that cockroaches could survive a nuclear war. The average energy released by a modern atomic bomb is equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT, or 63,000 petajoules of force. Cockroaches are able to withstand this much force because their exoskeletons are built with overlapping plates. In addition to their robust exterior frame, they also have the ability to distribute their weight evenly across their legs.
