nuclear efficiency

The ratio (expressed as a percentage)
between the number of atoms that fission
and the total number of fissionable atoms

available in a specific atomic weapon,

muclear safing system

The portion of an atomic weapon that contains
integrally all the apparatus which, on receipt
of proper signals from the arming system,
or by manual operation, functions so as to

place the nuclear system in an armed or

"safed" condition,
overpressure

The transient pressure, usually expressed in
pounds-per-square-—inch, exceeding atmospheric

pressure, manifested in the blast wave from

the explosion,

The exact distribution is a

function of time and of the weapon yield and

the medium in which the weapon is detonated,
plasma physics

The science of dealing with the study of
fully ionized gases,
~

predetonation

1.

The premature explosion of the high

explosive charge in an atomic weapon of the
implosion-type, or of the propellant in an
atomic weapon of the gun-type, before the
weapon has reached the predesignated point
of burst in its trajectory.

2,

The premature commencement of fission of

the active material in an atomic weapon

before the designed criticality is achieved,

preinitiation

The premature commencement of fission of the
active material in an atomic weapon before

the designed criticality is achieved,
Rad-Safe Program

(Radiological Safety)

The prescribed (by AEC) system of insuring

safe control of radioactivity received by

personnel;

included handling, decontamination,

pilot and crew exposure,
radiac

Radioactive.
When used in connection with
"instruments" or "detector," indicates device

to measure and/or record radiation exposure.
roentgen

The quantity of X or gamma radiation such
that the associated corpuscular emission per

0.001293 grams of air produces, in air, ions

carrying one electrostatic unit of electricity

of either sign,
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