DON'T SAY E=mc^2!
As far as I understand the end products in a chain reaction are random and so is energy released in each single reaction, the same is true with neutrons released, absorbed, or lost. Add to that the whole effects of the explosion and energy release and it sounds like a mess. So how accuarate is it when they say something like such and such nuclear bomb has the same power of so many gigakilos of TNT? In other words, how linear is the relationship between power and mass of the fuel in a nuclear bomb?
I know that much physics to know E=mc^2, not all the mass turns into energy when a bomb goes off. Does anyone know how much mass is turned into energy? What's left?
2006-12-28 13:50:00 · 5 answers · asked by heman g 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The end product are any single reaction is random but there are statistical branching ratios that govern the results of a large number of reactions. The motion of an air molecule in a room is also random, but nevertheless the number hitting the wall every second can be calculated with precision. The calculation of the energy released in a nuclear explosions (particularly fusion) is very complicated, and there are government physicists that do it with the aid of computers and data obtained from underground tests. The first such calculations were done for the Manhattan project to design the first atomic bomb.
2006-12-28 20:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by meg 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the power is measured in kilotons of TNT because we know the energy of that chemical reaction. The power of the explosion in a nuclear test is measured by direct observation and then expressed in Kilotons for convenience sake.
2006-12-28 23:17:59 · answer #2 · answered by pechorin1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A nuclear explosion is different from a normal one. Go look up the mechanics of a TNT explosion, then compare then to that of a nuclear bomb. You'll see the difference.
2006-12-28 21:58:19 · answer #3 · answered by The Platinum Mage 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very small amount of mass is converted. To give you an idea how small, if the energy in 1 paper clip was able to be converted to energy, there would be enough energy to blow up a small city.
2006-12-28 22:39:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey dude,
Go smoke a joint, take a long walk in the woods and smell a flower or two. You need to relax! Not be so worried about bomb fallout.
2006-12-28 21:54:02 · answer #5 · answered by Chupacabra! 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋