What are the damaging factors of the explosion? Characteristics and their impact on people and objects

At every step, various natural disasters or emergencies can occur at every step of the way. Predicting trouble is almost impossible, so it's best if each of us will know how to behave in this or that case and what harmful factors should beware. Let's talk about what are the damaging factors of the explosion, consider how to behave, if such an emergency happened.

What is an explosion?

Each of us represents what it is. If you have not experienced such a phenomenon in real life, then at least seen in the movies or in the news.

An explosion is a chemical reaction that proceeds at a tremendous rate. At the same time, energy is released and compressed gases are formed, which can have a damaging effect on people.

In case of non-observance of safety procedures or violation of technological processes, emergencies can occur with explosions at industrial facilities, in buildings, on communications. Often the human factor is the cause of the explosion.

There is also a special group of substances that are explosive, and under certain conditions they are capable of exploding. A distinctive feature of the explosion can be called its fleetingness. Only a split second is enough to, for example, the room soared into the air with a gas explosion. At the same time, the temperature reaches several tens of thousands of degrees Celsius. The damaging factors of the explosion can be seriously injured people, they are able to have their negative impact on people at a certain distance.

Not every such accident is accompanied by the same destruction, the consequences will depend on the power of the explosive device and the place where this happens.

Consequences of the explosion

The damaging factors of the explosion are:

• A stream of gaseous substances.
• Heat.
• Light radiation.
• A sharp and loud sound.
• Shards.
• Air shock wave.

Such phenomena can be observed in the explosion of both warheads and domestic gas. The former are often used for conducting combat operations, they are used only by highly qualified specialists. But there are situations when objects that are capable of exploding fall into the hands of civilians, and it is especially scary if they turn out to be children. In such cases, as a rule, explosions end in tragedy.

Household gas explodes mainly if the rules of its operation are not observed. It is very important to teach children to handle gas appliances and to place telephone numbers of rescue services in a conspicuous place.

Zones of defeat

Damaging factors of the explosion can be applied to a person of varying severity of damage. Specialists distinguish several zones:

1. Zone I.
2. Zone II.
3. Zone III.

The first two consequences are the heaviest: charring of bodies under the influence of very high temperatures and products of the explosion.

In the third zone, apart from the direct influence of the explosion factors, one can observe an indirect one. The impact of the shock wave by a person is perceived as a severe blow, in which the following can be damaged:

• internal organs;
• Organs of hearing (rupture of the tympanic membrane);
• The brain (concussion);
• Bone and tissue (fractures, various injuries).

In the most difficult situation are people who have met a shock wave in a standing position outside the shelter. In such a situation, there is often a fatal outcome or a person is severely injured and seriously injured, burns.

Types of destruction in explosions

Depending on the proximity of the source of the explosion, a person can get lesions of varying severity:

1. Lungs. This includes a small concussion, partial loss of hearing, bruises. Hospitalization may not even be required.
2. Medium. This is a brain injury with loss of consciousness, bleeding from the ears and nose, fractures and dislocations.
3. Severe damage includes severe concussion, internal injuries, complicated fractures, sometimes fatal.
4. Extremely serious degree. Practically in 100% of cases ends with the death of the victim.

It is possible to give an example: when the building is completely destroyed, almost all die, who was there at that moment, only a lucky chance can save a person's life. And with partial destruction, the deceased may be, but most will suffer injuries of varying severity.

Nuclear explosion

It is the result of triggering a nuclear charge. This is an uncontrolled process in which a huge amount of radiant and heat energy is released. All this is the result of a chain reaction of fission or thermonuclear fusion over a short time interval.

The main distinguishing feature of a nuclear explosion is that it always has a center - the point where the explosion occurred, and also the epicenter - the projection of this point on the terrestrial or water surface.

In more detail, the damaging factors of the explosion and their characteristics will be considered. Such information should be made known to the public. As a rule, students receive it in school, and adults - in the workplace.

Nuclear explosion and its damaging factors

So, what are the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion ? First of all, we note that these are physical processes and phenomena that arise during the process and determine its damaging effect. The power of the explosion determines not only the nature and extent of the impact, but also the duration of the damaging factors. So, the latter can include:

1. Shock wave.
2. Light radiation.
3. Radioactive contamination.
4. Penetrating radiation.
5. Electromagnetic pulse.

Let's consider each factor in more detail.

Shock wave characteristics

This is the main kill factor, which leads to numerous disruptions and injuries. A wave arises due to the large pressure that forms at the center of the explosion - in the first seconds after it the value can reach billions of atmospheres. The shock wave spreads and has its damaging effect on all living organisms.

The main parameters, which determine its damaging effect, are:

• High pressure.
• Speed.
• Duration.

The damaging effect of a shock wave depends on the magnitude of the excess pressure. And the degree of damage will depend directly on the strength of the explosion and on the distance you are on it from.

Characteristics of light radiation

After the explosion, a light energy flux is formed, which consists of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectrum. Light emits parts of the ammunition that have heated to high temperatures. The maximum temperature can exceed 7 thousand degrees.

Light radiation can have the following damaging effect:

• Burns.
• Eye defeat.
• Ignition of materials and objects.
• Fires.

The degree of impact can be different:

1. There are zones in which there are separate fires.
2. In the area of severe destruction, as a rule, up to 90% of buildings burn. This is the most dangerous zone.
3. There is also a zone of fires in the obstruction, where everything has evaporated and collapsed, only decay remains.

Penetrating radiation

When an explosion occurs, there is a stream of neutrons and gamma rays - this is the penetrating radiation. Neutrons freely pass through living tissue and disrupt the vital functions of the cell, metabolic processes, adversely affect the functioning of organs and systems. All this ends with the development of radiation sickness. The heaviest of its forms lead to death.

The most dangerous zone is a radius of 2-3 kilometers from the source of the explosion. In addition to the negative impact on living organisms, radiation can disable optical and electronic devices.

In order to somehow weaken the destructive effect of penetrating radiation, it is necessary to use protective materials, of which we will talk later.

Radioactive contamination

As a result of the explosion, various products and radioactive isotopes are formed. They are the main source of radioactive contamination. If the explosion occurs on the ground, then a cloud is formed at a height of many kilometers with radioactive products. It carries a wind, particles fall to the ground, as a result, a zone of radioactive contamination is formed.

Everything is subjected to it: soil, water, air, infrastructure. The greatest danger is observed in the first hours after precipitation. Since at this time the activity of all radioactive particles is maximal.

Nuclear explosion zones

To determine the nature of possible disruptions and the volume of rescue operations, the focus of nuclear damage is divided into several zones:

1. A zone of complete destruction. Here you can observe 100% loss among the population, if it was not protected. The main damaging factors of the explosion have their maximum impact. You can see almost complete destruction of buildings, damage to utilities, complete destruction of forests.
2. The second zone is a site where strong disruptions are observed. Losses among the population reach 90%. Most buildings are destroyed, solid blockages are created on the terrain, but shelters and anti-radiation shelters manage to survive.
3. Zone with medium disruptions. Losses among the population are small, but many are injured and injured. There is a partial or complete destruction of buildings, blockages are formed. In shelters, you can be saved.
4. Zone of weak destruction. Here, the striking factors of the explosion are minimal impact. Destruction is insignificant, there are practically no casualties among people.

How to protect yourself from the consequences of an explosion

Practically in every city and a smaller settlement there must be built protective hiding places. In them, the population is provided with food and water, as well as individual means of protection, which include:

• Gloves.
• Protective glasses.
• Gas masks.
• Respirators.
• Protective suits.

Protection from the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion will help to minimize the damage caused by radiation, radiation and a shock wave. The most important thing is to use it in a timely manner. Everyone should have an idea of how to behave in such a situation, what must be done to minimize the impact of the damaging factors.

The consequences of any explosion can threaten not only the health of a person, but also life. Therefore, every effort should be made to prevent such situations due to negligence in respect of the rules for the safe handling of explosive objects and substances.