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Q: Is the radiation in smoke detectors harmful?
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What does alpha alpha radiation do?

It can be used for smoke detectors


Describe the uses of ionising radiation used in a home?

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.


How is ionizing radiation used?

Smoke detectors, x-rays, sterilizing items such as medical supplies.


What use is alpha radiation?

It is used in smoke detectors as it cannot travel far in air. Alpha radiation is emitted and as long as the detector in the device is receiving the alpha radiation, then no smoke is present. When smoke particles are present, they interrupt the radiation, and so the detector doesn't pick up the radiation, causing the alarm to go off.


Where are Masterguard smoke detectors made?

Masterguard Smoke Detectors are made in Coppell, TX.


Can the radiation in a smoke detector escape?

No, the radioactive sources in smoke detectors emit alpha particles. These are very weakly penetrating and are stopped by a few centimetres of air, therefore the plastic casing of the detector is sufficient to stop any radiation.


What do Small radioactive sources that are present in smoke detectors release?

Radioactive sources release some form of radiation, in the case of smoke detectors the specific type will be alpha radiation- most likely from americium 241. The alpha radiation is a helium nucleus which is highly ionizing but is fairly safe since it can only travel around about 5cm in the air, the act of a stream of alpha radiation being intercepted by CO2 cuts a circuit and is how the CO2 is detected.


What are smoke detectors?

Smoke detectors are devices that detect smoke. They are used as warning devices in houses to warn people of fire.


Smoke detectors are they safe for us?

Yes, even though they do emit ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation emitted from a smoke detector is about 1 hundredth of a millirem per year. The background radiation from radioactive isotopes in the ground is about 300 millirem per year. So the ground your standing on right now is exposing you to more radiation then your smoke detector ever will.


Can smoke detectors detect smoke in the ciling?

No


Are smoke detectors and smoke alarms the same?

no