what is the benefit of using Am-241 in smoke detectors even though it is a radioactive element?

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I don't understand why Am241 is used in smoke detectors even though it is a radioactive element.

The only benefit I can see is that it has a long half life.

radioactivity

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asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

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up vote
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I don't understand why Am241 is used in smoke detectors even though it is a radioactive element.

The only benefit I can see is that it has a long half life.

radioactivity

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

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Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

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up vote
1
down vote

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up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I don't understand why Am241 is used in smoke detectors even though it is a radioactive element.

The only benefit I can see is that it has a long half life.

radioactivity

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

I don't understand why Am241 is used in smoke detectors even though it is a radioactive element.

The only benefit I can see is that it has a long half life.

radioactivity

radioactivity

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

asked 1 hour ago

Jogoo Jeje

61

61

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Jogoo Jeje is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

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The usage in ionizing smoke detectors requires a radioactive isotope to work. In addition to a sufficient half-life to make a smoke detector with a suitable service life, Am-241 emits mostly alpha radiation (which is used for the ionizing mechanism) with relatively little of the more hazardous and useless gamma radiation. See the Applications section in https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium.

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answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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The usage in ionizing smoke detectors requires a radioactive isotope to work. In addition to a sufficient half-life to make a smoke detector with a suitable service life, Am-241 emits mostly alpha radiation (which is used for the ionizing mechanism) with relatively little of the more hazardous and useless gamma radiation. See the Applications section in https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium.

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answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

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up vote
2
down vote

The usage in ionizing smoke detectors requires a radioactive isotope to work. In addition to a sufficient half-life to make a smoke detector with a suitable service life, Am-241 emits mostly alpha radiation (which is used for the ionizing mechanism) with relatively little of the more hazardous and useless gamma radiation. See the Applications section in https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium.

share|improve this answer

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

up vote
2
down vote

The usage in ionizing smoke detectors requires a radioactive isotope to work. In addition to a sufficient half-life to make a smoke detector with a suitable service life, Am-241 emits mostly alpha radiation (which is used for the ionizing mechanism) with relatively little of the more hazardous and useless gamma radiation. See the Applications section in https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium.

share|improve this answer

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

The usage in ionizing smoke detectors requires a radioactive isotope to work. In addition to a sufficient half-life to make a smoke detector with a suitable service life, Am-241 emits mostly alpha radiation (which is used for the ionizing mechanism) with relatively little of the more hazardous and useless gamma radiation. See the Applications section in https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium.

share|improve this answer

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

answered 48 mins ago

Oscar Lanzi

13.4k12444

13.4k12444

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

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