A Simple Description of an Ascending Nuclear Fireball and a FORTRAN Solution
Abstract
A set of four differential equations describing a rising, homogeneous, spherical, atomic fireball were developed from basic laws of physics. These four equations were: a time rate of change of temperature derived from energy conservation; a time rate of change of altitude derived from the definition of velocity; a time rate of change of velocity derived from momentum conservation; and a time rate of change of radius derived from the ideal gas law. A computer program was written to solve the equations. This program assumed that the values for the four parameters were known at some time after the second thermal maximum, and the program uses a Runge-Kutta method to determine the solutions. The value for the entrainment coefficient had to be determined by parametric evaluation. The value was chosen to be 0.00055. Data for a 1-Kt, sea level nuclear detonation was used, the equations solved, and the solutions analyzed. The peak altitude was higher than expected and the velocity and radius initially behaved as expected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA017180
Entities
People
- Denzel D. Jr Waltman
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology