Advanced search

Answers


If a nuclear weapon was detonated at the bottom of the sea (deepest point) what would happen?

The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest point in Earth's oceans. The bottom there is 10,924 meters (35,840 feet) below sea level and therefor at a pressure of nearly 2000bar.  Even if the bomb detonation was higher pressure than would a steam bubble be generated or would it remain as superheated water and just dissipate?  If a steam bubble was generated would the shear mass of water surrounding the detonation point condense it?

sssss
 (no votes)

submit an answer
  • Member status
  • none

Categories: Unanswered.

Tags: sea, Nuclearbombs, steam.

 

Report abuse


1 answer(s)


Reply

Georg says:

First,

You should have a look at the batteries of Your calculator.

Pressuse down there is 1000 bars!

Your Question:

both, of course! 1st there will be a sphere of plasma,

then with expansion this will cool down, and then it will collapse like

a cavitation bubble, some hot water will drift along.

But:

This will happen only if the bomb explodes at all!

Any atomic bomb has a conventional explosive load, to compress

the fissible materia. If this is to work, the entire thing had to be

enclosed in a pressure- tight capsule (like the sphere of the Bathyscaph)

Conventional explosives refuse to explode at pressures much higher than

some dozen bars.

Georg

sssss
 (no votes)

Tags: sea, Nuclearbombs, steam.

top

posted on 2011-01-31 16:58:07 | Report abuse


The last word is ...

the place where you ask questions about everyday science

Answer questions, vote for best answers, send your videos and audio questions, save favourite questions and answers, share with friends...

register now


ADVERTISMENT