Enter the energy released in the explosion and the energy released by one ton of TNT into the calculator to determine the blast yield.
Blast Yield Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the blast yield.
BY = (E / ET) * 1000
Variables:
- BY is the blast yield (kilotons or megatons of TNT equivalent)
- E is the energy released in the explosion (joules)
- ET is the energy released by one ton of TNT (joules)
To calculate the blast yield, divide the energy released in the explosion by the energy released by one ton of TNT. Multiply the result by 1000 to convert the result from tons to kilotons or megatons. This gives the blast yield in terms of the equivalent amount of TNT that would release the same energy when exploded.
What is a Blast Yield?
Blast yield refers to the amount of energy released in an explosion, often used in the context of nuclear weapons. It is typically measured in terms of the equivalent amount of trinitrotoluene (TNT) that would release the same energy when exploded. The units of measurement can range from tons (referring to kilotons or megatons of TNT) to the smaller kilogram (as in the case of conventional explosives). The blast yield determines the destructive power of the explosive.
How to Calculate Blast Yield?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Blast Yield using the given formula:
- First, determine the energy released in the explosion (E) in joules.
- Next, determine the energy released by one ton of TNT (ET) in joules.
- Next, use the formula BY = (E / ET) * 1000 to calculate the Blast Yield.
- Finally, insert the values of E and ET into the formula and calculate the Blast Yield.
- After calculating the result, check your answer for accuracy.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge:
Energy released in the explosion (E) = 5 x 10^12 joules
Energy released by one ton of TNT (ET) = 4.184 x 10^9 joules
