APPENDIX B
GLOSSARY
The following technical and organizational terms are used in this volume.
ABSORBED DOSE
The amount of energy absorbed per unit mass of irradiated material. Absorbed dose is measured in rads.
AIR BURST
The explosion of a nuclear weapon at such a height that
the expanding fireball does not touch the earth’s
surface.
AIR SAMPLING
for RADIOACTIVITY
The process of collecting certain volumes of air to
determine the level of radioactivity in the air.
ALPHA PARTICLE
A form of particulate radiation emitted from the nuclei
of certain radioactive elements. An alpha particle is
composed of two neutrons and two protons and is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom, having a double
positive charge. An alpha particle cannot penetrate
clothing or the outer layer of skin, so it is not a
external exposure hazard. Such a particle is extremely
hazardous, however, if exposure occurs internally.
ATOM
The smallest particle of an element that still retains
the characteristics of that element. Every atom
consists of a positively charged central nucleus, which
carries nearly all the mass of the atom. The nucleus
is generally composed of uncharged neutrons and positively charged protons. It is surrounded by electrons
that carry a negative charge.
ATOMIC ENERGY
Energy released by various nuclear reactions, such as
fission, fusion, or radioactive decay. Great amounts
of energy are released during fission and fusion processes. It is this energy that makes nuclear weapons
far more powerful than conventional explosives.
Nuclear energy is another and a more appropriate label
for this energy.
BETA BURNS
Skin lesions caused by deposition of beta-emitting
fallout particles onto bare human skin.
BETA PARTICLE
A charged particle of very small mass emitted spontaneously from the nuclei of certain radioactive
elements. Physically, the beta particle is identical
to an electron moving at high speed.
203