Question

One could feel heat transfer in the form of infrared radiation from a large nuclear bomb detonated in the atmosphere 75 km from you. However, none of the profusely emitted x rays or γ rays reaches you. Explain.

a) Infrared radiation has longer wavelengths and can travel greater distances.

b) X rays and γ rays are absorbed by the atmosphere.

c) X rays and γ rays are not emitted in nuclear explosions.

d) The sensation of heat is purely psychological.

Answer 1

The reason you can feel heat transfer in the form of infrared radiation from a nuclear bomb detonated 75 km away, but not x rays or γ rays, is because x rays and γ rays are absorbed by the atmosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason you can feel heat transfer in the form of infrared radiation from a large nuclear bomb detonated in the atmosphere 75 km from you, but none of the profusely emitted x rays or γ rays reach you is because x rays and γ rays are absorbed by the atmosphere. Infrared radiation, on the other hand, has longer wavelengths and can travel greater distances, allowing it to reach you despite the distance.