An explosion at ground level leaves a crater with a diameter that is proportional to the energy of the explosion raised to the 1/3 power; an explosion of 1 megaton of TNT leaves a crater with a 1 km diameter. An ancient impact crater is found with a 36 km diameter. What was the kinetic energy associated with that impact, in terms of (a) megatons of TNT (1 megaton yields 4.2 × 1015 J) and (b) Hiroshima bomb equivalents (13 kilotons of TNT each)?

Respuesta :

Answer:

a)125 GT

b)9615384.6 Hiroshima bombs

Explanation:

We know that

D=k(E)^(1/3) (and I will keep D in km and E in MT of TNT)

D= diameter

Where k is a constant of proportionality.

We also have

1=k*(1)^(1/3), k=1

(a) For D=50, E=(D^3), so E= 125000 MT or 125 GT

(b) For Hiroshima equivalents, that's 125000 MT / 13 KT = 125000 MT / 0.013 MT = 9615384.6 Hiroshima bombs.