Curium-242 is not suitable for use in smoke alarms primarily due to its radioactive properties and the associated health risks. It emits alpha particles, which require careful handling and containment to prevent exposure. Furthermore, its long half-life and the complexity of managing radioactive materials make it impractical for consumer safety devices like smoke alarms, where non-radioactive alternatives, such as americium-241, are safer and more effective.
Curium-242 is not suitable for use in smoke detectors because it is a radioactive isotope that emits high-energy alpha particles, which can be harmful to human health if exposed in close proximity over extended periods of time. Additionally, curium-242 has a long half-life, making it unsuitable for the short-term detection requirements of smoke detectors.
Curium-242 has 122 neutrons and Curium-244 has 124 neutrons. This neutron difference causes them to have different decay pathways and half-lives, with Curium-242 having a shorter half-life than Curium-244.
The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.
The first time curium was obtained by the reaction:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is obtained from burned nuclear fuels.
The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.
The specific activity of the isotope curium-242 is 3 400 Ci/g.
The other product formed when curium-242 is bombarded with an alpha particle is uranium-238.
The nuclear reaction used to prepare curium was:Pu-239 + He-4---------------Cm-242 + n
The first nuclear reaction to obtain curium was:Pu-239 + He-4 = Cm-242 + nNow curium is separated from burned nuclear fuels.
The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n
The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n
The nuclear reaction is: 242Cm + 4He = 245Cf + n