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Americium: Difference between revisions
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Inside the smoke detector, the americium is located within an ionization chamber where the emitted alpha particles collide with air particles to produce ions. A battery produces a small electric current that runs across these ions. When smoke enters the ionization chamber, its particles neutralize the charge of the ions and interfere with the flow of electricity, and therefore setting off the alarm.<ref name=world-nuclear.org/> | Inside the smoke detector, the americium is located within an ionization chamber where the emitted alpha particles collide with air particles to produce ions. A battery produces a small electric current that runs across these ions. When smoke enters the ionization chamber, its particles neutralize the charge of the ions and interfere with the flow of electricity, and therefore setting off the alarm.<ref name=world-nuclear.org/> | ||
As well as its use in smoke detectors, americium has also been previously used as a source of radiation in the field of radiography and a portable source of gamma rays.<ref name=EnvironmentalChemistry.com/> <ref name=education.jlab.org> [http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele095.html The Element Americium] ''Jefferson Lab''. Web. Author Unknown. Accessed 12 October 2014.</ref> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
