0
the bottom line is that when smoke gets into the detector, it's electrical current is interrupted, causing the alarm to sound (which im guessing you already knew) I'm not totally sure why the radioactive element (americium-241) has to be in there, but what I DO know (contrary to what the previous poster put) is that the alpha rays produced by the radioactive element are NOT strong enough to escape, and therfore pose NO harm whatsoever to people around it.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What household item contains radioactive isotope americium 241?
smoke detectors
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 household item contains californium?
Some smoke detectors contain californium. It a radioactive neutron emitter and is a man made element.
What is a radioactive element used is smoke detectors?
Americium 241
What synthetic element that is used in smoke detectors?
Americium (isotope 241) is the most common radioactive element used in smoke detectors.
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.
Why is curium 242 not suitable for use in smoke detectors?
It is radioactive. ------------------------------- Incorrect answer: americium-241, the usual isotope in smoke detectors is more radioactive.
What are the answers for fema IS 3?
many smoke detectors contain:
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.
Was uranium ever used in smoke detectors?
no. The most commonly used radioactive material is Americium
Where is Americium commonly used?
Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope commonly found in smoke detectors.
What are the answers for fema IS-3?
many smoke detectors contain:
