radioactivity.
The spontaneous emission af radiation, generally aipha or beta particles, often accompanied
by gamma rays, from the nuclei of an (unstable) nuclide. As a result of this emision the radioactive
nuclide is converted (decays) into the isotope of a different (daughter) element,Bwhich may (or may
not) also be radioactive.
Ultimately, as a result of one or more stages of radioflctive decay, a sta-
ble (nonradioactive) end product is formed.
radiological survey.
area.
radionuclide.
radiosonde.
The directed effort to determine the distribution and dose rate
radiation tn an
A radioactive nuclide (or radioactive atomic species).
A halloon-borne instrument for the simultaneous measurement and transmissifn of meteoralogical
data, consisting of transducers for the measurement of pressure, temperature, and Fumidity; a modulator for the conversion of the output of the transducers to a quantity that controlg a property of the
radiofrequency signal; a selector switch, which determines the sequence in which tlle
parameters are
to be transmitted; and a transmitter, which generates the radiofrequency carrier.
time bursting
5 feet (1.5 meefore bursting at
radiosonde balioan. A balloon used to carry a radiosande aloft. These balloons have d
dititudes of about 80,000 feet (25 km) above sea level. The ballaon measures abou
ters) in diameter when first inflated and may expand to 20 feet (6 meters) or more
high altitude.
radium.
A radioactive element with the atomic number 98 and an atomic weight of 226.
radops.
Radiological safety operations.
[@
nature, radium is
found associated with uranium, which decays to radium by a series of alpha and betaflemissions.
is used aS a radiation source for instrument calibration.
Radium
radsafe. Radiological safety. General term used to cover the training, operations, and Bquipment used to
protect personne! from potential overexposures to nuclear radiation during nuclear tBhsts.
RAF.
Royal Air Force (Britain).
rainout.
rawin.
Removal of radioactive particles from a nuclear cloud by rain.
Radar wind sounding tests that determine the winds aloft patterns by radar observation af a
balloan.
rawinsonde.
Radar wind sounding and radiosonde (combined).
Raydist. A Norfolk, Virginia firm called Raydist Navigation Corporation that provided navigational aid
service for test aircraft in the Bikini area during CASTLE. Also the equipment made fly this firm.
Raydist slave stations.
Support instrumentation used in the positioning of experimental e@fects aircraft.
RB~29.
Reconnaissance version af the 8-29.
R8-36.
Reconnaissance version af the 8-36.
RBE.
Relative biological effectiveness.
A factor used to compare the biological effectiveBess of absorbed
radiatian doses {i.e., rads) due to different types of jonizing radiation.
the term has been superseded by Quality Factor.
reefer.
rem.
For radiation protection
Slang for refrigerator.
A special unit of biological radiation dose equivalent; the name is derived from the
itiai letters
of the term "roentgen equivalent man (or mammal}." The number of rems of radiation is [kqual to the
number of rads absorbed multiplied by the RBE of the given radiation (for a specified
affect).
The
rem is also the unit of dose equivalent, which is equal to the product of the number offfrads absorbed
multiplied by the "quality factor" and distribution factor for the radiation.
The unitflis presently
being replaced by the sievert (Sv).
rep.
An obsolete special unit of absorbed dose.
residual nuciear radiation.
Nuclear radiation, chiefly beta particles and gamma rays, that
rsists for
a time following a nuclear explosion. The radiation is emitted mainly by the Fission pribducts and
other bomb residues in the fallout, and to some extent by Earth and water constituents, [hnd other materials, in which radioactivity has been induced by the capture of neutrons.
R-hour.
Reentry hour.
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