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Creation of vacuum by explosion (Source: © kremldepall / stock.adobe.com)

Creation of vacuum by explosion

Jaroslav Kores, Ph.D.

An explosion (e.g. a nuclear bomb) creates a pressure wave, i.e. air spreads outwards from the epicenter. Does this mean that a vacuum is created at the site after the explosion?
Yes, that’s right. A pressure wave is typically created by an explosion (it doesn’t matter what the source is) compressing the surrounding air. Because air is a flexible environment, this compression will spread further. You can try something similar yourself — just push water in a pool (or in a bath or pond) with your palm ...
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