Containing a nuclear blast inside a giant solid metal sphere

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SUMMARY

Detonating a 1 megaton nuclear device inside a solid steel sphere with a radius of 1 mile would likely result in the sphere melting due to the extreme heat generated by the explosion. If the sphere does not melt, the external environment would remain unaffected by the blast, indicating that the containment would effectively shield the outside world from the explosion's impact.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics and explosion dynamics
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically steel under extreme conditions
  • Familiarity with thermodynamics related to high-energy events
  • Basic concepts of containment structures in engineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermal properties of steel under high-temperature conditions
  • Explore the principles of nuclear explosion containment
  • Study the effects of nuclear blasts on various materials
  • Investigate historical nuclear tests and their containment methods
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers, and safety analysts interested in nuclear containment strategies and the effects of nuclear explosions on materials.

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Say you detonated a 1 megaton device inside a solid steel ball maybe...1 mile in radius. What would happen?
 
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It would probably melt. If it doesn't melt, then as far as we on the outside are concerned, probably nothing at all.
 

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