/sci/ - Science & Math

[Anonymous No.3781097]

What would happen if we let a nuke off in space?

Would the energy from the blast keep moving and destroy other planets?

[Anonymous No.3781103]

>energy...keep moving

[Anonymous No.3781113]

The only things fired off would be supercharged fallout, which would blast off into space at a pretty slow rate, and basically accomplish nothing, harming nobody.

[TN5 !/sci/TN5.. No.3781114]

The energy from the blast decreases with the distance r from the explosion point as <span class="math">\frac{1}{r^3}[/spoiler], assuming the explosion is isotropic. Only a tiny fraction of the whole energy would reach a given planet, not because of dissipation but because the solid angle (cf wikipedia) at which the explosion point sees the planet is extremely tiny.

[Anonymous No.3781119]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish_Prime

[Anonymous No.3781121]

The damage done in a nuclear blast is largely done through thermal energy and pressure differential. These wouldn't have an effect in space, so the only energy released would be through EM radiation (light)

[Anonymous No.3781125]

http://tinyurl.com/3ntz8jn

[almostphysicist No.3781131]

>>3781097
Let's clarify how this energy is transmitted. The nuclear blast would release energy in two forms: light, and momentum of whatever particles are related to the blast.

Light probably won't be enough to destroy a planet (although it could heat it excessively), but if a large enough mass of particles conceivably could destroy something.

Supernovas are technically massive nuclear explosions.

[Anonymous No.3781136]

stars are nuclear explosions

[Anonymous No.3781137]

silly

[almostphysicist No.3781157]

>>3781136
More like extremely slow nuclear burns.