radioactivity. The spontaneous emission of radiation, generally aipna or beta particles, aften accimpinsel
By gamma rays, from the nuclei of an (unstable} nuciide. As a result of this emission the radioactive
nuclide is converted (decays} into the isotope of a different (daughter) element, which may ‘or nay
not} also be radioactive.
Ultimately, as a result of cme ov more stages of radioactive decay, 4a Sta-
ble (nonradioactive) end product 1s formed.
radiological survey.
area.
radionuclide.
radiosonde.
data,
The directed effort to determine the distribution and dose rate of radiation in an
A radioactive nuclide {or radioactive atomic species).
A balloon-borne instrument for the simultaneaus measurement and transmission of meteorological
consisting of transducers for the measurement of pressure,
temperature,
and humidity;
a modula-
tor for the conversion of the output of the transducers to a quantity that controls a property of the
radiofrequency signal; a selector switch, which determines the sequence in which the parameters are
to be transmitted; and a transmitter, which generates the radiofrequency carrier.
radiosande balloon.
altitudes of
A balloon used to carry a radiosonde aloft.
about 80,000 feet (25 km) above sea level.
These balloons have daytime bursting
The balloon measures about 5 feet (1.5 me-
ters) 1n diameter when first inflated and may expand to 20 feet (6 meters) or more before bursting at
hign altitude.
radium.
A radioactive element with the atomic number 88 and an atomic weight of 226.
radops.
Radiological safety operations.
In nature, radium is
found assaciated with uranium, which decays ta radium by a series of alpha and beta emissions.
is used as a radiation source for instrument calibration.
Radium
radsafe,
Radiological safety.
General term used to cover the training, operations, and equipment used to
protect personnel from potential overexposures to nuclear radiation during nuclear tests.
RAF.
Royal Air Force (8ritatn).
rainout.
Removal of radioactive particles from a nuclear cloud by rain.
rawin.
Radar wind sounding tests that determine the winds aloft patterns by radar observation of a
balloon.
rawinsonde.
Raydist.
Radar wind sounding and radiosonde (combined).
A Norfolk, Virginia firm called Raydist Navigation Corporation that provided navigational aid
service for test aircraft in the Bikini area during CASTLE.
Raydist slave stations.
Support instrumentation used in the positioning of experimental effects aircraft.
R8-29.
Reconnaissance version of the B-29.
RB-36.
Reconnaissance version of the 8-36.
RBE.
Relative biological effectiveness.
A factor used ta compare the biological effectiveness of absorbed
radiation doses (i.e., rads) due to different types of ionizing radiation.
the term has been superseded by Quality Factar.
reefer.
rem.
Also the equipment made by this firm.
For radiation protection
Slafig for refrigerator.
A special unit of biological radtation dose equivalent; the name is derived from the initia: letters
of the term “roentgen equivalent man (or mammal).” The number of rems of radiation is equal to the
number of rads absorbed multiplied by the RBE of the given radiation (for a specified effect).
The
rem ts also the unit of dose equivalent, which is equal to the product of the number of rads absorbed
multiplied by the “quality factor" and distribution factor for the radiation.
The unit is presently
being replaced by the sievert (Sv).
rep.
An obsolete special unit of absorbed dose.
residual nuclear radiation.
Nuclear radiation, chiefly beta particles and gamma rays, that persists for
a time following a nuclear explosion.
The radiation is emitted mainly by the Fission products and
other bomb residues in the fallout, and to some extent by Earth and water constituents, and other materrals, in which radioactivity has been induced by the capture of neutrons.
R-hour.
Reentry hour.
482