Pound of TNT to Joules Conversion: Explained and Simplified

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In summary, the equivalency of 1 pound of TNT is approximately 2 megajoules or 2,000,000 joules. This information can be found on various sources such as the Department of Energy handbook and Wikipedia. Additionally, 1 pound of TNT is equivalent to 2300 BTUs or 4,184 joules. This information can also be found on a kiloton conversion chart.
  • #1
Pengwuino
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pound of tnt = ? Joules

Does anyone know what the equivalency is? I tried to google but I get a bunch of star trek websites for some reason...
 
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  • #2
The better Startrek sites all agree it would be about 2megajoules
 
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  • #4
The wiki says 4,184 J is the energy of exploding a gram of TNT.

There are 453.59237 grams in a pound.f
 
  • #5
Guess startrek is right
 
  • #6


i believe this might help you out Pengwuino. I know you wanted to know in October...but i found this neat webpage that might help you.

If you are asking for the TNT equivalent then here you go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiloton

I hope it helps.

:wink:
 
  • #7


Yes, October of 2005. Thank you though.
 

1. What is a pound of TNT and why is it used for energy measurement?

A pound of TNT, or trinitrotoluene, is a highly explosive compound that has long been used in the military and mining industries. It is commonly used as a standard unit of measurement for the amount of energy released in an explosion due to its consistent and predictable properties.

2. How many joules are in a pound of TNT?

One pound of TNT is equivalent to approximately 4.184 megajoules (MJ) of energy. This conversion is based on the standard definition of a joule, which is the amount of energy expended by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter.

3. How is the conversion from pounds of TNT to joules calculated?

The conversion from pounds of TNT to joules is based on the specific energy of TNT, which is defined as the amount of energy released per unit mass of TNT. This value is typically given as 4.184 MJ/kg. To convert from pounds to kilograms, the weight in pounds is divided by 2.2046. Then, this value is multiplied by the specific energy to get the total energy in joules.

4. What is the significance of knowing the equivalent joules of a pound of TNT?

Knowing the equivalent joules of a pound of TNT allows for a standardized measurement of energy, specifically in the context of explosions. This information is crucial for safety and risk assessment in industries such as mining, demolition, and military operations.

5. Are there any limitations to using a pound of TNT as a unit of energy measurement?

While a pound of TNT is a commonly used unit of measurement for energy, it is important to note that this conversion is based on the assumption of ideal conditions. In reality, the amount of energy released in an explosion can vary based on factors such as the type of explosive, containment, and environmental conditions. Therefore, this conversion should be used as a general estimate and not as an exact measurement.

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