OT: Elmer: On bombs- How do you factor in the heat generated by a nuclear bomb? Surely it is part of the destructive power but not the blast power.
The "tonnage" of a nuclear bomb specifically addresses the explosive power only. That is highly quantifiable, and is manifested in the shock wave produced. Of course, the prompt heat produced by a nuclear explosion is what produces the shock wave. However, I suspect that you mean delayed radiative heat from the fireball. This heat can cause great destruction well outside of the destructive range of the shock wave and/or Mach front. However, it can be very subjective to quantify and is not accounted for in the "tonnage" of a nuclear weapon.