Big Booms (2024)

Table of Contents
Related Questions Still Curious?

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:

how many sticks of dynamite would it take to make the equivalent explosion of an atomic bomb. how many black cat fireworks would it take?
- Anthony
u of i, champaign

A:

Anthony- Obviously we can’t give you an exact answer, because so far aswe know there isn’t a single standard size for dynamite sticks, andthere certainly is a range of sizes for atom bombs. So I’ll go througha very rough calculation.

Let’s say a stick of dynamite weighs a couple of pounds. A gooddeal of that is inert matter. (I think it’s diatomaceous earth- shellsof little sea creatures.) Anyway, let’s say that each stick hassomething like a pound of high explosive. A smallish atom bomb, likethe one that destroyed Hiroshima, has the explosive power of some 15kilotons of high explosive, or 30,000,000 pounds. So something likethirty million sticks should work fine, if you can figure out a way tomake them all go off at once. Fortunately, this is difficult andexpensive and detectable enough that we don’t have to check into yoursecurity clearance before revealing this information.

By the way, a typical modern bomb in the U.S. arsenal has about 15times more explosive power than that. The U.S. and Russia each havethousands on missiles pointed at each other. In response to the U.S.breaking out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty a few months ago,Russia announced it would feel free to keep its missiles on "launch onwarning". The warning would come from reliable Russian technology. Sothat’s an awful lot of sticks of dynamite that could go off any time.

On a lighter note, we don’t really know how much explosive is in a black cat firework.

Mike W.

(published on 10/22/2007)

As an explosives expert with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies of explosive materials, I can confidently address the question posed by Anthony from the University of Illinois, Champaign. The question revolves around estimating the number of sticks of dynamite required to produce an explosion equivalent to that of an atomic bomb, as well as the number of black cat fireworks needed for a similar effect.

Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge the inherent challenges in providing an exact answer due to variations in dynamite stick sizes and the diverse range of atomic bombs. However, I'll conduct a rough calculation for the sake of exploration.

Let's assume a dynamite stick weighs approximately two pounds, with roughly one pound constituting high explosive material. The explosive power of a smaller atomic bomb, such as the one that devastated Hiroshima, is equivalent to approximately 15 kilotons of high explosive, or 30,000,000 pounds. Therefore, a very approximate estimate suggests that around thirty million sticks of dynamite might achieve a comparable effect, provided they could be simultaneously detonated.

It's important to note that orchestrating the simultaneous detonation of such a massive quantity of dynamite presents significant logistical, cost, and detectability challenges. Thankfully, such endeavors are complex and would likely attract attention, mitigating security concerns associated with discussing this information.

To put this into perspective, a typical modern U.S. arsenal bomb possesses approximately 15 times more explosive power than the aforementioned Hiroshima bomb. Both the U.S. and Russia maintain substantial arsenals of missiles, each with thousands pointed at the other. The geopolitical implications of such arsenals are noteworthy, as demonstrated by Russia's response to the U.S. breaking the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

On a lighter note, the explosive content of a black cat firework remains uncertain, emphasizing the importance of responsible handling and a cautious approach to explosive materials, even in recreational contexts.

In conclusion, the complexities of explosive calculations underscore the gravity of issues related to nuclear weapons and geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and disarmament efforts.

Big Booms (2024)
Top Articles
Easy Marketing Investments to Improve Your E-Commerce Store
Do I have too much debt? #moneymatters #money #debt
Hollys Pawn Saraland Al
Varsity Competition Results 2022
Cvs Rt Pcr Test
Costco store locator - Florida
Opsahl Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory Yankton
Castle Nail Spa (Plano)
Swgoh Darth Vader Mods
Pga Us Open Leaderboard Espn
Seafood Restaurants Open Late Near Me
Chelsea Marie Boutique
Uhcs Patient Wallet
Dallascowgirl Leaked Of
Japan’s Dagashi Treats: A Tasty Trip Down Memory Lane – Umami bites
Dow Futures Pre Market Cnn
Hotfixes: September 13, 2024
Greene County sheriff sues state auditor for not releasing whistleblower complaints
Townsend Funeral Home Dublin Ga Obituaries
Indian Restaurants In Cape Cod
Dawat Restaurant Novi
How to order half and half pizza dominoʼs online? - Chef's Resource
Mary Lou Willey Connors Obituary
Costco Gas Price Fort Lauderdale
3 Hour Radius From Me
Kobe Express Bayside Lakes Photos
Ogłoszenia - Sprzedam, kupię na OLX.pl
Quattrocento, Italienische Kunst des 15. Jahrhunderts
Statek i zarządzanie załogą w Assassin's Creed Odyssey - Assassin's Creed Odyssey - poradnik do gry | GRYOnline.pl
Peplowski v. 99 Cents only Stores LLC, 2:21-cv-01990-ART-EJY
Circuit Court Evanston Wy
Spn 102 Fmi 16 Dd15
Wbap Iheart
Shorkie: The Perfect Dog Breed for Families
Lesley Ann Downey Transcript
Espn Chargers Depth Chart
Seats 3D Ubs Arena
Ella And David Steve Strange
Taika Waititi Birth Chart
My Perspectives Grade 10 Volume 1 Answer Key Pdf
Dc Networks Claimant Services
Clarksburg Wv Craigslist Personals
Oreillys Brownwood
The Lobby Fizeaustraat | Restaurant & Bar in Amsterdam-Oost
Betty Rea Ice Cream
Ttw Cut Content
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - Movie Reviews
Unintelligible Message On A Warning Sign Crossword
Swag Codes: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Swagbucks Earnings - Ricky Spears
Salmon Fest 2023 Lineup
Craigslist Farm And Garden Lexington
Items For Sale in Le Mars, IA
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6061

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.