Blast wave

Blast Wave

A blast wave is a type of pressure wave that occurs in the atmosphere due to an explosion or other sudden release of energy. The wave propagates radially outwards from the source, causing a rapid, transient increase in pressure followed by a decrease in pressure.

Characteristics

The characteristics of a blast wave depend on the energy of the explosion, the medium in which it propagates, and the distance from the source. The initial pressure increase, or overpressure, can be several times the atmospheric pressure, and it decreases rapidly with distance. The overpressure is followed by a phase of negative pressure, or underpressure, which can cause damage by sucking objects back towards the source of the explosion.

Formation

A blast wave is formed by the rapid expansion of gases in an explosion. The expanding gases push against the surrounding medium, creating a shock wave that moves faster than the speed of sound. The shock wave compresses the medium, creating a region of high pressure that propagates outwards as a blast wave.

Effects

The effects of a blast wave can be devastating. The high pressure can cause damage to structures and injury or death to living organisms. The underpressure can cause further damage by pulling objects towards the source of the explosion. In addition, the rapid change in pressure can cause a blast wind that can throw objects and debris around.

See also

• Shock wave
• Explosion
• Overpressure
• Underpressure
• Blast wind