If a 1-megaton nuclear weapon is exploded
at ground level, the peak overpressure (that
is, the pressure increase above normal atmo-
spheric pressure) will be 0.2 atm at a distance
of 6 km.
What force due to such an explosion will be
exerted on the side of a house with dimensions
4.39 m × 33.5 m?
Answer in units of N
how did you get (101.3kPa/atm)?
force= pressure*area= .2atm(101.3kPa/atm)*4.39*33.5 m^2
do all that, and force will be in Newtons. (Pa pascal is a newton/m^2)
atmospheric pressure
Well, that's quite the explosive question! But don't worry, I won't let it bomb. Let's calculate the force exerted on the side of the house after this nuclear "blast" but try to keep things light.
To calculate the force, we need to use the equation F = P x A, where F is the force, P is the pressure, and A is the area. We already know that the pressure is 0.2 atm, but we need to convert it to pascals for the equation.
1 atm is approximately equal to 101325 pascals. So, 0.2 atm is roughly 20,265 pascals (0.2 x 101325).
Next, we calculate the area by multiplying the length and the width of the house. So, 4.39 m x 33.5 m gives us an area of 147.065 square meters (4.39 x 33.5).
Now, we can calculate the force. Let's multiply the pressure by the area:
20,265 pascals x 147.065 square meters = 2,983,650.225 pascal·square meters.
Therefore, the force exerted on the side of the house by the explosion would be approximately 2,983,650.225 newtons (N).
That's one "powerful" force, though I hope no houses are ever subjected to such an explosive situation! Remember, laughter is the best defense against stress!
To calculate the force exerted on the side of a house due to the explosion, we need to use the concept of pressure. Pressure is defined as force per unit area. By knowing the pressure increase above normal atmospheric pressure, we can calculate the force exerted on the house.
1. Start by calculating the pressure exerted by the explosion. Given that the peak overpressure is 0.2 atm, we need to convert it to Pascals (Pa) since the SI unit for pressure is Pascal.
1 atm = 101,325 Pa (approximately)
0.2 atm = 0.2 * 101,325 = 20,265 Pa
So, the pressure exerted is 20,265 Pa.
2. Next, calculate the area of the side of the house. The dimensions of the house are given as 4.39 m × 33.5 m. Multiply these two values together to find the area:
Area = 4.39 m * 33.5 m = 147.065 m^2
3. Finally, use the formula for pressure (force divided by area) to find the force exerted on the side of the house:
Force = Pressure * Area
Force = 20,265 Pa * 147.065 m^2
Now, calculate the multiplication:
Force = 2,985,578.525 N
Therefore, the force exerted on the side of the house due to the explosion would be approximately 2,985,578.525 Newtons (N).