Page 115 - The Miracle in the Atom
P. 115
Power Of The Atom
Radiation debris was spread over a very large area as
a result of the strong winds formed after the
explosion, and left behind a picture
as if everything had been
covered by a layer of
ash.
fireball may cause irre-
parable damage to the sense of
vision. At this moment, a shock wave
moving at very great speed develops around the
fireball.
- 6 seconds after the explosion…
At this point, the shock wave hits the earth and causes the first mecha-
nical damage. The wave creates powerful air pressure, the intensity of which
decreases as one goes farther from the centre of the explosion. Even around
1.5 km away from this point, the added pressure is twice as strong as normal
atmospheric pressure. The chance of people staying alive at this pressure is
1%.
- 13 seconds after the explosion…
The shock wave diffuses along the surface of the earth and it is followed
by the explosion created by the repositioning of the air sent by the fireball.
This explosion diffuses along the earth at a speed of 300-400 km per hour.
In the meantime, the fireball has cooled down and its volume has decre-
ased. Being lighter than air, it starts to rise. This upward motion causes the
direction of wind on the earth to reverse and causes a strong wind to start
blowing towards the centre, even though it was initially blowing outwards
from the centre of the explosion.
- 30 seconds after the explosion…
As the fireball rises, its spherical shape is distorted and it takes the ap-
pearance of a mushroom.
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