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Americium-241 being radioactive - emit alpha particles - is used as a source to ionization of air.

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Americium-241 is used in smoke detectors as a source of alpha particles, which ionize the air within the detector. When smoke particles enter the detector, they disrupt the ionization process, causing a decrease in the electric current flow and triggering the alarm to go off.

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Q: How is americium 241 used in smoke detectors?
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What household item contains radioactive isotope americium 241?

Smoke detectors typically contain americium-241. This radioactive isotope is used to ionize the air in the detector, allowing it to detect smoke particles and trigger the alarm.


What is a radioactive element used is smoke detectors?

Americium 241


Where is Americium commonly used?

Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope commonly found in smoke detectors.


A synthetic element that is used in smoke detectors is?

Americium-241 this is an emitter of alpha radiation, which is used in smoke detectors as it is very ionising and will not be able to travel through smoke. Therefore, in a fire the detector will not receive any alpha radiation and hence the alarm will go off.


What does americium do in smoke detectors?

Americium-241 is used in smoke detectors because it emits alpha particles that ionize the air inside the detector. This ionization process allows a small electric current to flow between two electrodes in the detector. When smoke enters the detector, it disrupts this current, triggering the alarm.


What element is used in smoke detectors and named for the US?

The element used in smoke detectors and named after the US is Americium (Am). It is a radioactive element commonly found in household smoke detectors to detect smoke particles in the air.


What synthetic element that is used in smoke detectors?

The synthetic element used in smoke detectors is Americium-241. It emits alpha particles that ionize the air within the smoke detector, causing a small electric current flow. When smoke particles disrupt this current, an alarm is triggered.


What the radioactive element is used in smoke detectors?

It's usually americium-241. It undergoes alpha-decay with a half-life of about 400 years. Am-241 is artificially manufactured; it doesn't occur in nature.


A synthetic element used in smoke detectors?

The synthetic element used in smoke detectors is usually Americium-241. It emits alpha particles which ionize the air in the detector, allowing it to detect smoke and trigger the alarm.


Why is Americium-241 used in smoke detectors?

Americium-241 is used in smoke detectors because it emits alpha particles, which ionize the air inside the detector. When smoke enters the detector, it disrupts the ionization process, triggering the alarm. This makes Americium-241 an effective and reliable source for detecting smoke particles.


Many smoke detectors contain?

a. Americium-241 Smoke detectors might have an ionizing chamber. If it does, the chamber holds a radioactive nuclide to ionize the particles in the smoke to set off the detector. Usually the radioactive source is americium.


What is the most abundant radioactive isotope?

An isotope of cobalt is used to to kill cancer cells. The isotope americium-241 is used in smoke detectors.