Abstract
IN the examination of the velocity of compressional waves through rocks, Birch1 has shown that the mean atomic weight is a significant parameter. Murty2 also noted the importance of effective atomic numbers and atomic weights in the attenuation of γ-rays by heterogeneous materials. The purpose of this communication is to give operational definitions and suggest the necessity of distinguishing between mean and effective atomic weight.
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References
Birch, F., J. Geophys. Res., 57, 256 (1952).
Murty, R. C., Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Western Ontario (1962).
Beck, J. (private communication).
Moddle, D. A., Ontario Department of Mines (private communication).
Birch, F., J. Geophys. Res., 66, 2215 (1961).
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MURTY, R. Mean and Effective Atomic Weights of Rock Specimens. Nature 202, 584–585 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/202584a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/202584a0
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