BLOCK 8: NUCLEAR ENTERPRISE - Unit 5: Terminology (complete) Flashcards
When the nuclear weapon achieves nuclear yield.
NUCLEAR DETONATION (NUDET)
This will not occur during most accidents, as many safeguards are in place. This will typically only occur when it is intended. Events of this nature result in massive destruction and radioactive contamination.
An unexpected event involving a nuclear weapon or component resulting in any of the following, but not constituting a nuclear weapon accident:
- Increase in the possibility of explosion or radioactive contamination.
- Errors in assembling, testing, loading, or transporting that might lead to an unintentional operation of all or part of the weapon that might lead to a substantial change in yield or increased dud probability.
- Any natural or man-made occurrence, unfavorable environment, or condition resulting in damage to the weapon, facility, or component.
BENT SPEAR
Temporary storage provided for classified shipment transporters at DOD facilities in order to ensure safety and security of nuclear material and/or non-nuclear classified material.
SAFE HAVEN
A nuclear weapons accident that could create the risk of an outbreak of war but meets one of the following: accidental or unauthorized launching of a nuclear weapon system, accidental nuclear detonation, non-nuclear detonation or burning of a nuclear weapon, or jettison of a nuclear weapon.
BROKEN ARROW
A radiological incident involving a nuclear reactor system that poses a hazard to life, health, or property.
FADED GIANT
Refers to the radioactive material naturally found in the environment, particularly the earth’s crust.
NATURALLY OCCURING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (NORM)
NORM contributes heavily to background radiation measurements. Radiation due to NORM can confound measurements during an accidental or deliberate radioactive event. This is also why background readings vary a great deal from one region to another.
The time it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive source to decay to half of the original activity.
RADIOLOGICAL HALF LIFE
The time required for a biological system, such as a human, to eliminate by natural processes, half of the amount of a substance (such as a radioactive material) that has entered the system.
BIOLOGICAL HALF LIFE
Biological Half Life is NOT a constant like Radiological Half Life. There are different factors that cause the amount of time to vary, such as:
health of the individual, fluid intake, medical treatment, etc.
The unintended transfer or deposit of radioactive material from a “dirty” surface to a “clean” surface.
CONTAMINATION (as defined by the Health Physics Society)
A person is _______________ contaminated if radioactive material is on the skin or clothing.
EXTERNALLY
A person is _______________ contaminated if radioactive material is inhaled, swallowed, or
absorbed through wounds.
INTERNALLY
The _______________ is contaminated if radioactive material is spread about or is unconfined.
ENVIRONMENT
A person contaminated with radioactive material will receive radiation exposure until
the source of radiation (the radioactive material) is __________.
REMOVED
