Immediate radiations from nuclear detonations

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1957 · J. Wash. Acad. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6681455

Dunning, G M

Temperature pulsations within a fireball, as it advances vertically and horizontally, ranges from several million degrees at the time of detonation, decreases markedly within a fraction of a second and rises again to near maximum; continuing then to drop off with time. Time sequence of the temperature pulse is dependent upon the yield (energy) value of the blast, a function of the size of the fireball. A 20-kiloton burst (20,000 tons TNT equivalent) will create a fireball of about 600 feet in radius. Other size detonations can be determined by the relation: R/RO = (W/WO)2/5, were RO - maximum radius of reference burst, WO = yield of reference burst. Rate of delivery for a given total thermal energy is relatively fast for lower yield bursts, but it is appreciably slower for higher yield detonations, suggesting the possibility of effective action for the larger burst. The total energy (thermal) reaching a given point is a function of: yield, distance from burst, and state of the atmosphere. Effectiveness of evasive action and the use of shielding materials for protection from thermal radiations causing 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-degree burns as well as estimations for ..gamma..-exposure expressed in r. and r. equivalent man (REM) are tabulated and correlated to burst yield from 20 to 20,000 kilotons in approximate distance of 30, 300, and 1000 miles from point of detonation.

• OSTI ID: 6681455
• Journal Information: J. Wash. Acad. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wash. Acad. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 47; ISSN JWASA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450200* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DISTANCE
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY YIELD
EXPLOSIONS
FIREBALLS
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR FIREBALLS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
SHIELDS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMAL RADIATION
THERMAL SHIELDS
TIME DEPENDENCE
YIELDS