Calculating Energy Released by Dynamite Explosion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy released by a dynamite explosion, specifically focusing on the fraction of total energy content represented by the energy liberated during the explosion, quantified as 5.4*10^6 J/kg. The subject area includes concepts from energy conservation and relativistic physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the dynamite being at rest before the explosion and question how this affects the calculation of total energy. There is discussion about whether to consider kinetic energy after the explosion or to focus solely on the rest energy of the dynamite.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the relationship between rest energy and the energy released during the explosion. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of rest mass in calculations, but multiple interpretations of the problem are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted assumption that the dynamite is initially at rest, which influences the approach to calculating total energy. Participants are also considering the implications of the explosion on the energy content and the nature of the energy being released.

asdf1
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for the following question:
dynamite liberates about 5.4*10^6 J/kg when it explodes. What fraction of its total energy content is this?

my problem:
the total energy formula=(gamma)mc^2
but the gamma factor has v, but the question doesn't have v...
any suggestions?
 
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Assume that the dynamite is at rest.
 
if it explodes, it shouldn't be at rest, right?
 
If the stick of dynamite is at rest prior to the explosion, then its center of mass will surely be at rest afterwards. Also, the total energy is the same before and after the explosion.

So what would you rather do? Would you rather calculate the energy content after the explosion, including the kinetic energy of each individual fragment? Or would you rather calculate the total energy of a stationary stick of dynamite whose mass is known?
 
asdf1 said:
if it explodes, it shouldn't be at rest, right?


:confused:

Why not?
 
Initially they dynamite is at rest, and so the total available energy is only the rest energy. The energy released in the explosion is the stored chemical energy.

Simply use E = mc2 as Tom mentioned, where m is the rest mass.

Hopefully one should discover that the specific chemical energy <<< rest energy.
 
i see... thanks! :)
 

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