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Alpha particles from americium ionized the air. An air with smoke has a different ionization, ionization currents which are also different are measured, compared and the detector (which was before calibrated) is ready ! The americium smoke detectors (with ionization) are not the first smoke detectors.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe earliest smoke detectors did not use any radioactives, but were based on a photocell. Americium was used in later detectors.
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What does americium do in smoke detectors?
Yes, americium is used as ionizing source in smoke detectors.
How long has americium been used in smoke detectors?
Americium become to be largely used in smoke detectors after 1970.
What household item contains radioactive isotope americium 241?
smoke detectors
Where is Americium commonly used?
Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope commonly found in smoke detectors.
What has americium?
smoke detectors and x-rays
Which actinide is used in smoke alarms?
americium.
What does isotopes have to do with smoke alarms?
The "ionizing" type of smoke alarms uses Americium.
What was used in fire detectors before americium?
The first smoke detectors are based on optical principles - photoelectric detectors.
Which actinide is used in some smoke alarms?
americium.
How is Americium used in are daily life?
americinium is used in smoke detectors to check for smoke
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.
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.
