TNT equivalent

TNT equivalent expresses an energy release as the mass of trinitrotoluene that would release the same amount of energy. It is commonly used to compare explosions and other large energy releases.

Trinitrotoluene: Trinitrotoluene is an aromatic chemical compound widely used as an explosive. Its assigned energy yield provides the reference behind the equivalent.
Nuclear weapon: A nuclear weapon releases energy through nuclear fission, fusion, or both. Its yield is commonly reported as a TNT equivalent.
Richter scale: The Richter scale is a logarithmic measure of earthquake magnitude based on seismic-wave amplitude. It measures earthquake magnitude rather than expressing energy as an equivalent explosive mass.
Nuclear weapon effects: Nuclear weapon effects include blast, thermal radiation, prompt ionizing radiation, and radioactive fallout. Equal TNT yields can produce different effects because energy is distributed differently.
Energy density: Energy density is the amount of energy stored per unit mass or volume. The mass comparison uses energy released per unit mass.
Trinity test: The Trinity test was the first detonation of a nuclear device, conducted in New Mexico in 1945. Its estimated yield is commonly expressed in kilotons of TNT.
Moment magnitude scale: The moment magnitude scale estimates earthquake size from seismic moment. It characterizes fault rupture, unlike a TNT equivalent's energy comparison.
Nuclear fallout: Nuclear fallout is radioactive material deposited after a nuclear explosion. TNT equivalent alone does not describe radioactive contamination.
Joule: The joule is the SI unit of energy. Energy yields can be converted into joules before expressing a TNT equivalent.
Tsar Bomba: Tsar Bomba was a Soviet thermonuclear bomb detonated over Novaya Zemlya in 1961. Its immense yield illustrates the megaton scale.

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