1. What is the Explosion Size Radius Formula?

The explosion size radius formula calculates the blast radius of an explosion based on its energy content and a scaling constant. This formula is commonly used to estimate TNT equivalent explosion sizes and their potential impact areas.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the explosion size radius formula:

Where:

• \( Radius \) — Explosion blast radius (m)
• \( k \) — Scaling constant (dimensionless)
• \( Energy \) — Energy released by explosion (J)

Explanation: The formula shows that explosion radius scales with the cube root of energy, meaning large increases in energy produce relatively smaller increases in blast radius.

3. Importance of Explosion Size Calculation

Details: Accurate explosion size calculation is crucial for safety planning, damage assessment, military applications, and industrial safety protocols involving explosive materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter energy in joules and the appropriate scaling constant k. Typical k values range from 0.04 to 0.15 depending on the specific application and explosion type.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical values for the constant k?
A: k values typically range from 0.04 to 0.15, with 0.1 being a common default for TNT equivalent calculations in air bursts.

Q2: How does this relate to TNT equivalent?
A: The formula can be used with TNT energy equivalent (4.184 MJ/kg) to calculate blast radii for different explosive yields.

Q3: What factors affect the k constant?
A: The k constant depends on explosion type (air burst vs ground burst), medium, and specific explosive characteristics.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: This is a simplified model that doesn't account for terrain, atmospheric conditions, or precise explosive composition.

Q5: Can this be used for nuclear explosions?
A: While the cube root scaling law applies to nuclear explosions, different k values and additional factors must be considered for accurate predictions.