0
Why do nuclei that emit alpha particles such as americium-241 are safe to use in smoke defectors?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Actually, americium-241 is not safe.
If you disassemble the smoke detector and remove the americium-241 pellet, and then ingest it, you are at risk of developing cancer, because an alpha emitter is dangerous when ingested. There are clear warnings on the smoke detector about this.
The reason smoke detectors in general are safe is that the amount of americium-241 is very small, and it is very difficult to extract it from the smoke detector. Also, the alpha particles will not travel more than an inch or so in free air, and they will be stopped by the internal design anyway, so the alpha particle field inside the smoke detector is limited to the ion chamber, also inside the smoke detector.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Nuclei that emit alpha particles, such as americium-241, are safe to use in smoke detectors because alpha particles can only travel a short distance through air and are easily stopped by a thin sheet of paper or clothing. The radiation emitted by the nuclei is low energy and poses no harm to humans. Additionally, the amount of americium-241 used in smoke detectors is very small, further reducing the risk.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do the alpha particles in Rutherford's experiment contain electrons?
Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei; they do not contain electrons.
How many electrons does alpha radiation have?
Alpha particles are helium nuclei - therefore, no electrons.
Particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons?
These are alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei.
Who was the scientist who showed that alpha particles are helium nuclei?
The scientist was Ernest Rutherford
What types of radiation particles have no weight?
Gamma rays are the only ones. Alpha particles are helium nuclei, and Beta particles are electrons or positrons, all of these have mass.
Alpha particles ejected from the nucleus travel at the speed of light?
No. Alpha particles are helium nuclei; such nuclei have a mass, and can therefore NOT travel at the speed of light.
Do the alpha particles in Rutherford's experiment contain electrons?
Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei; they do not contain electrons.
Which particles is similar to a He nucleus?
The so-called alpha particles ARE helium nuclei.
How many electrons does alpha radiation have?
Alpha particles are helium nuclei - therefore, no electrons.
Why did the path of only some alpha particles deviate in Rutherford experiment?
Alpha particles are positively charged helium nuclei. As such, they are repelled by other positively-charged nuclei. In Rutherford's experiment, he used gold foil. Since gold atoms have large, massive nuclei, the alpha particles were easily repelled by the large gold atom nuclei, and they were scattered in different directions.
Particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons?
These are alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei.
Differentiate gamma rays from alpha particles?
Gamma rays are very high energy Photons. Whereas, alpha particles are Helium nuclei.
Alpha particles and beta particles differ in?
Alpha particles are positively charged helium nuclei while beta particle are negatively charged electrons . Alpha particle have 4u mass while beta particles have zero mass.
Alpha particles are repelled by atomic nuclei because?
Alpha particles are repelled by atomic nuclei because alpha particles have a positive charge, and so do atomic nuclei. The positive charge on the surface of a nucleus will repel another positive charge, like an alpha particle, because of the law of electrostatics. That's the simple answer. And it is correct. But know this: Alpha particles were used in the early investigations of atomic structure and atomic interactions. The alpha particles were used to bombard atomic nuclei, and there are times when an alpha particle will be absorbed by an atomic nucleus. Somehow the laws of electrostatics took the day off, and the fact that absorption took place opens the door to discovery and discussion of other atomic forces. Word up.
Why does the path of the beta particles bend more than the path of the alpha particles?
Beta particles (electrons) are less massive than alpha particles (Helium-4 nuclei), by a factor of approximately 8000.
What is the type of radioactive decay in which positive particles are given off?
It's called alpha-decay. The two protons and two neutrons are removed in the form of alpha particles, or helium nuclei.
Why does sodium foil result with fewer alpha particles compared to gold foil?
Sodium nuclei are much smaller than gold nuclei. Therefore, more alpha particles will hit the larger nucleus of gold because it is a much bigger target.
