answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

It is radioactive.

-------------------------------

Incorrect answer: americium-241, the usual isotope in smoke detectors is more radioactive.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 5mo ago

Curium-242 is not suitable for use in smoke detectors because it is a radioactive isotope that emits high-energy alpha particles, which can be harmful to human health if exposed in close proximity over extended periods of time. Additionally, curium-242 has a long half-life, making it unsuitable for the short-term detection requirements of smoke detectors.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 13y ago

The isotope 242Cm is more expensive than the isotope 241Am.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is curium 242 not suitable for use in smoke detectors?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the difference between Curium 242 and Curium 244?

Curium-242 has 122 neutrons and Curium-244 has 124 neutrons. This neutron difference causes them to have different decay pathways and half-lives, with Curium-242 having a shorter half-life than Curium-244.


Where do you get the element curium from?

The first time curium was obtained by the reaction:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is obtained from burned nuclear fuels.


How can you get curium?

The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.


How was curium formed?

The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.


What are the activities for the element curium as a gas or solid?

The specific activity of the isotope curium-242 is 3 400 Ci/g.


When curium-242 is bombarded with an alpha particle two products are formed one of which is a neutron what is the other product?

The other product formed when curium-242 is bombarded with an alpha particle is uranium-238.


How did Glenn T discover curium?

The nuclear reaction used to prepare curium was:Pu-239 + He-4---------------Cm-242 + n


What elements were used to make Curium?

The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.


When curium -242 is bombarded with alpha particles a neutron and are formed?

The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n


When curium-242 is bombarded with alpha particles a neutron and what are formed?

The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n


When curium-242 is bombarded with alpha particles a neutron and are formed?

The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n


What can curium be used for or in?

Possible uses for thermoelectric generators (Cm 242 and Cm 244); now these isotopes has some disadvantages.