Xx
temperature structure in the higher yield region, accurate determination
of the yield of an explosion from the observed cloud height could not be
determined,

As previously discussed, some radioactive material could lay

at lower altitudes,

The distance below the primary cloud mass was in

general, a function of the burst conditions, tut usually the amount
decreased rapidly with increasing distance,

Sampling aircraft with 15,000-foot altitude capability were suitable
for the range yields and burst conditions discussed,

For explosions with

yields above 10 to 15 kilotons an aircraft of the B-29-type was
marginal because of limited altitude capability.
sample the lower portion of these clouds,

considered

Such aircraft could only

An aircraft to sample the

maximm altitude requirements foreseen was expected to operate sufficiently
long at lower altitudes when required,’
Radiation Characteristics of Primary Clouds
While there were some activities derived from the neutron activation
of

nonfissionable tomb components, associated equipment, or dirt from the

explosion sight, the major source of gamma radiation energy within the
cloud derived from the fission products created in the explosion,
.
ey
' padiation from this source decreased with time after burst,

Gamma

The rate of

decrease of—the gamma radiatim flux within the cloud reflected both the
radiation decay source and the rate of decrease of the volumetric

concentration of the source material as a result of cloud dispersal,
Although the radiation intensity within an atomic cloud at shot times
~_e

%

According to the familiar fission product decay law (Way-Wigner),.

205
APWUHO

SVEH-2-003

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