L) One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute amount of radioactive americium-241 (24'Am), which decays by a-particle production. The a particles ionize molecules in the air, allowing it to conduct an electric cur- rent. When smoke particles enter, the conductivity of the air changes, and the alarm buzzes. Write the equation for the decay of 241 Am by, o

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Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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Topic: Nuclear Chemistry
1) One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute
amount of radioactive americium-241 (24'Am), which
decays by a-particle production. The a particles ionize
molecules in the air, allowing it to conduct an electric cur-
rent. When smoke particles enter, the conductivity of the
air changes, and the alarm buzzes.
a. Write the equation for the decay of 2}Am by a-
particle production.
b. The complete decay of 241Am involves successively a,
α, β, α, α, β , α, α, α, β , α, and β production. What is
the final stable nucleus produced in this decay series?
c. Identify the 11 intermediate nuclides.
241
Transcribed Image Text:1) One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute amount of radioactive americium-241 (24'Am), which decays by a-particle production. The a particles ionize molecules in the air, allowing it to conduct an electric cur- rent. When smoke particles enter, the conductivity of the air changes, and the alarm buzzes. a. Write the equation for the decay of 2}Am by a- particle production. b. The complete decay of 241Am involves successively a, α, β, α, α, β , α, α, α, β , α, and β production. What is the final stable nucleus produced in this decay series? c. Identify the 11 intermediate nuclides. 241
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