The energy yield of a nuclear weapon is often defined in terms of the equivalent mass of a conventional explosive. 1 ton of a conventional explosive releases 4.2 GJ. A typical nuclear warhead releases 250,000 times more, so the yield is expressed as 250 kilotons. That is a staggering explosion, but the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs was significantly greater. Assume that the asteroid was a sphere 10 km in diameter, with a density of 2500 kg/m3 and moving at 30 km/s. What energy was released at impact, in joules and in kilotons?

The energy yield of a nuclear weapon is often defined in terms of the equivalent mass of a conventional explosive. 1 ton of a conventional explosive releases 4.2 GJ. A typical nuclear warhead releases 250,000 times more, so the yield is expressed as 250 kilotons. That is a staggering explosion, but the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs was significantly greater. Assume that the asteroid was a sphere 10 km in diameter, with a density of 2500 kg/m3 and moving at 30 km/s. What energy was released at impact, in joules and in kilotons?

College Physics

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305952300

Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Chapter10: Thermal Physics

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 57AP

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