why this their a mushroom cloud when a nuclear bomb goes off? i look on the internet and it doesn't tell me why. so can you?
2006-11-16 05:23:58 · 7 answers · asked by because i'm GOD 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Mushroom clouds form as a result of the sudden formation of a large mass of hot low-density gases near the ground creating a Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The mass of gas rises rapidly, resulting in turbulent vortices curling downward around its edges and drawing up a column of additional smoke and debris in the center to form its "stem". The mass of gas eventually reaches an altitude where it is no longer less dense than the surrounding air and disperses, the debris drawn upward from the ground scattering and drifting back down (see fallout).
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2006-11-16 05:32:24 · answer #1 · answered by Garfield J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have to be a nuke. The heat from the explosion heats up the surrounding air. The air rises in a column. As it does so it mixes with the surrounding air and spreads out forming the mushroom at the top.
Cumulus clouds form over rising moist air are much the same.
Nukes just do that on an impressive scale.
2006-11-16 05:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. A mushroom cloud forms over any hot explosion. It is just the hot gas rising up. It is hotter in the middle so the middle rises a bit faster, drawing in the air around it. Here is an explanation : http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=mushroom%20cloud&gwp=16
2006-11-16 05:28:35 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the bomb goes off there is an incredible release of energy, much of it in the form of heat. Because hot air is less dense than cold air, it is forced upwards. Because the release of energy and heat is so massive, it heats a very large volume of air. This air and any small debris and smoke are carried upwards and cooler air rushes in from all around to take it's place.
2006-11-16 05:29:09 · answer #4 · answered by Louis G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The explosion creates the initial cloud (the "cap"), then hot air rises so the "cap" goes up. The vaccume of air below it creates a column of smoke/gas that looks like a stem below the large cloud above.
2006-11-16 05:28:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a banana cloud would be too funny for the circumstance.
2006-11-16 05:29:37 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Obvious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all physics, Sweetie. When you learn that, then you'll be able to understand why the smoke & dirt rise in that shape.
2006-11-16 05:27:31 · answer #7 · answered by Ms. Joanna Craig 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋