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Americium: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Americium Smoke Detector.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Americium 241 is a common Isotope of Americium that is used in household smoke detectors.]] | [[File:Americium Smoke Detector.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Americium 241 is a common Isotope of Americium that is used in household smoke detectors.]] | ||
Americium is one of the few radioactive elements that one should find in an object in every household- the smoke detector. Most smoke detectors contain a small amount of americium 241 (<sup>241</sup>Am) in the compound americium dioxide. In fact, the amount of radioactive material found in a single smoke detector is so minuscule that about three million detectors could be made with a single gram of americium dioxide.<ref name=Chemicool.com/> Even though such a small amount of radioactive material is found within smoke detectors, and most of the gamma rays emitted harmlessly escape, tampering with the device is not advisable and could be harmful.<ref name=world-nuclear.org> [http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Non-Power-Nuclear-Applications/Radioisotopes/Smoke-Detectors-and-Americium/ Smoke Detectors and Americium] ''World Nuclear Association''. Web. Author Unknown. Updated July 2014.</ref> | Americium is one of the few radioactive elements that one should find in an object in every household- the smoke detector. Most smoke detectors contain a small amount of americium 241 (<sup>241</sup>Am) in the compound americium dioxide. This form of americium undergoes radioactive decay primarily through [[alpha decay]] (α), but does emit small amounts of gamma rays as well.<ref name=world-nuclear.org/> The amount of radioactive material within smoke detectors is minimal. In fact, the amount of radioactive material found in a single smoke detector is so minuscule that about three million detectors could be made with a single gram of americium dioxide.<ref name=Chemicool.com/> Even though such a small amount of radioactive material is found within smoke detectors, and most of the gamma rays emitted harmlessly escape, tampering with the device is not advisable and could be harmful.<ref name=world-nuclear.org> [http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Non-Power-Nuclear-Applications/Radioisotopes/Smoke-Detectors-and-Americium/ Smoke Detectors and Americium] ''World Nuclear Association''. Web. Author Unknown. Updated July 2014.</ref> | ||
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> | 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> | ||
