What if The World Lost Oxygen for 5 Seconds?

Picture a world where, for just a fleeting five seconds, all of Earth's oxygen vanishes. Not permanently, just a brief hiatus. What would transpire during those precious moments? Would we simply hold our breath, or would the consequences be more profound? Join us in this "what if" scenario as we explore the repercussions of a five-second oxygen hiatus on our planet.

Let's start by acknowledging the simple act of breathing—the inhalation of oxygen, constituting approximately 21% of our atmosphere. While nitrogen makes up the majority at 78%, it is oxygen that holds unparalleled significance. The lifeblood for plants, animals, water, and humans alike, oxygen plays a pivotal role in shaping the world as we know it.

Despite the seemingly negligible duration of five seconds without oxygen, the impact would be swift and dramatic. Most individuals can endure at least thirty seconds without drawing a breath, rendering the absence of oxygen seemingly inconspicuous on a personal level. However, the repercussions for the environment would unfold with startling speed.

In this hypothetical scenario, envision a world where oxygen ceases to exist for a mere five seconds. The consequences would be visually stark and immediate. Iconic structures such as the Hoover Dam and the Pantheon dome, constructed with concrete, would crumble instantaneously. Oxygen acts as a binding agent for concrete, and in its absence, these structures would be reduced to mere dust.

Building on the theme of structural decay, any untreated metal would undergo an instantaneous fusion. The layer of oxidation on metals, which typically prevents welding, relies on oxygen. Deprived of this crucial element, metals would spontaneously bind together, reshaping the landscape in unforeseen ways.

For those basking in the sun at the beach during this oxygenless interlude, a severe sunburn would be the least of their worries. The ozone layer, our shield against the sun's harmful UV rays, consists of oxygen. Remove oxygen, and Earth becomes perilously exposed to these rays. Sunburn would be the least of our concerns, as the absence of oxygen would cause our inner ear to explode. The loss of 21% of air pressure would be akin to plummeting 2,000 meters instantly, leaving our ears insufficient time to adapt.

But the consequences don't stop there. Without oxygen, fire—a process reliant on this essential element—would be extinguished. Combustion in vehicles, excluding electric ones, would grind to a halt. Planes would plummet from the sky, and millions of cars would cease to operate. Darkness would envelop the sky before it even reaches the Earth's surface. The absence of oxygen means fewer particles in the atmosphere for sunlight to bounce off, rendering the sky dark.

As this atmospheric chaos unfolds, another calamity would be underway beneath our feet. Earth's crust, composed of 45% oxygen, would disintegrate rapidly. The ground beneath us would crumble, triggering a freefall into an abyss.

While the thought of this scenario may not be pleasant, rest assured that it remains firmly in the realm of speculation. Fortunately, our world is not on the brink of such a catastrophic event. As we take a deep breath of the 21% oxygen that surrounds us, let this serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. For more intriguing speculations and thought experiments, stay tuned to "what if."