Assume a class 3 storm and an airburst at 5,000 feet.
2007-06-01 07:53:53 · 11 answers · asked by Ed D 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No. It would actually make it worse, but by a negligible amount. Heat (usually from warm water) feeds a hurricane, but a hurricane contains thousands of time more energy than a nuclear weapon. What makes a nuclear weapon so destructive is the fact that it releases its energy in one place quickly, thereby making an intense shock and heat wave.
2007-06-01 10:54:32 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm totally guessing here cos i never tried it ;o) but...
The blast would cause damage and death + radiation for a long time to come. Kinda defeats the object of stopping the storm.
A hurricane is essentially caused but huge instability resulting in updrafts spiraling. Surely the heat from the blast would just increase updrafts and instability and turn it into a Cat 5 storm???
Something to think on before you pull the pin ;o)
2007-06-01 08:03:03 · answer #2 · answered by Sam J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 40 megaton nuclear device is puny beside the power of a hurricane.
It would go on it's merry way and the dent would disappear.
2007-06-01 11:41:40 · answer #3 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll take a guess. Because in order to break a storm, you need to change the air pressure in a huge area. Nukes cannot do that. Their most destructive effect is a blast wave, which although does rapidly change pressure, but for a very short time and inside a narrow region (see awesome picture-thingy here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_wave ).
2007-06-01 09:22:18 · answer #4 · answered by Regal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not...
In addition to the answers given above, a hurricane can be several hundred miles wide. If the hurricane is over water you would probably just end up adding a tsunami's damaging effects to the damaging effects of the hurricane.
.
2007-06-01 08:44:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time there`s a hurricane in YOUR area , I`m certain you could arrange with the USAF to drop a multi-megaton nuclear bomb on it !
I`m sure it would work to your expectations .
2007-06-01 08:01:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if it dissipates hurricane....but a 40Mt bomb makes more mess than a class 3 hurricane.
2007-06-01 07:57:18 · answer #7 · answered by Jagan Mohan R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i dont think so because its not the energy that starts the hurricane its the balance between hot and cold air.
2007-06-01 08:00:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it would make the storm radioactive
2007-06-01 08:00:39 · answer #9 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
2007-06-01 07:56:02 · answer #10 · answered by New Dog Owner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋