After watching the pilot of Jericho my husband and I have had a running disagreement about how far away a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion can be seen. I'm guessing it depends on the size on the bomb, so we'll assume an extremely large one. We live approx. 90 miles from Cleveland Ohio... could we see it if one hit there?
2007-02-21 02:41:49 · 9 answers · asked by CherylAnn 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
As others have indicated, there are many factors affecting the visibility of the mushroom cloud. Let me enumerate:
a) the size (power) of the bomb
b) the altitude at which it exploded
c) composition of the surface and debris (as the cloud is mostly dust
d) cloud cover in your area
Basic calculation confirms that you are likely to see the cloud from 90 miles away, as it can indeed rise many thousand feet into the atmosphere.
2007-02-21 02:57:29 · answer #1 · answered by stopwar11112 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It also depends on time of day, weather, and wind speed. If it was a massive bomb, then you could probably see the flash from 100 to 200 or more miles away, but the mushroom cloud probably half to 3/4 of that. There are too many factors to take into account, but if you can see it, your in trouble.
2007-02-21 02:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by matt_archbold2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. Mushroom clouds can be produced by any sufficiently large explosion including, I suspect, 20,000 tons of TNT. Certainly they're well-known to exist outside of nuclear reactions-- for example, volcanic eruptions.
2016-05-24 02:21:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you would see it.
The average distance to the horizon is only about 13 miles:
ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon
say the mushroom goes up a couple of mile (5 say)
I'd say you'd need to be within about 30 miles to see anything.
2007-02-21 02:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Definitely be able to see it past 100 miles i believe.
2007-02-21 02:44:35 · answer #5 · answered by Triskelion 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say yes you could see the cloud because it travels way up into the strataspier
2007-02-21 02:45:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
yes you would see it. THe cloud would probably rise to at least 20,000 feet.
2007-02-21 02:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by bradthepilot 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cleveland?
I propose we test this for real.
What's the number for "Mythbusters"?
2007-02-21 02:49:50 · answer #8 · answered by lunatic 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Dude.....If you can see it. You might as well kiss your tail in between your legs goodbye. LOL That's too close.
2007-02-21 02:44:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋