SECRET

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

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ORJECTIVES
The objectives of Project 2.6b were to determine:
1.

The variations in chemical and radiochemical composition of

solid fallout with particle size, zero-point environment, and time

and distence of collection,
2.

The chemical and radiochemical nature of liguid fallout and

base surge, if formed,
3. The manner in which gross decay rates are affected by
variations in radiochemical composition.
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Purpose

The purpose of obtaining these data was for use in studying

basic problems of fallout phenomenslogy. The ultimate objective of
this and similar work js to chtain data which may be used to develop a

theory for the prediction of the military effects of operaticnal

nuclear weapons under svecifiec conditions.
Data obtained to meet the
first objective may be used to aid in the developrent of a model of

fireball dynamics in relation to varticle formation.

Liquid fallout

was also studied to gzin further insight into the histery of the fallout materiel after its formation, and for documentation of internal

radiation hazards.

An investigation was carried out on the relation

between decay rate and radiochemical cotposition because it appeared
that 1t might be apolicable to the problem of predicting the decay
characteristics of fallout material from any operational detonation.

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SECRET

RESTRICTED DATA

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