fisson (cont'd)

“8

(

Plutonium-239, ‘Although these substances

are radioactive, they have relatively
long half-lives, so that they may be
regarded as moderately stable, Also, they
will undergo fusion by. the capture of
neutrons of all energies~either fast

(high energy) or slow (low energy).

fractionation

The breaking down of nuclear particles or
of radioactive debris into various chemicals,
Such breakdown increases difficulties of
identification through radio-chemical analysis,

fusion

A mclear reaction in which light nuclei

combine to form a nucleus of a higher mass
number, This process can be said to represent
the opposite to nuclear fission, The fusion

of nuclei of a low atomic number releases
large amounts of energy. Such fusion
reactions go on constantly in the interiors

of stars and form the basic principle of the

~ thermonuclear bomb,

fuzing system

That portion of a weapon which originates

the signal which triggers the firing system,
The fuzing system normally consists of such

components as radars, baro switches, timers,
impact crystals, antennas, baro sensing
elements, and the like.
G or G-force

Force exerted upon an object by gravity or

by reaction to acceleration or deceleration,
as in a change of direction; one G is the
measure of the gravitational pull required

to move a body at the rate of about 32.16

feet per second,

gamma ray

Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation
originating in the nucleus of certain radioactive atoms, The rays possess great

penetration capabilities and, as associated
with nuclear detonations, constitute a
potential health hazard.

guided missile

A trajectile that is directed to its target

while in flight or motion, either by a

preset or self-reacting device within the

trajectile or by radio command outside
the missile,

323

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