Americium-241 Alpha Decay

241Am → 237Np + 4He

Ikhtisar

Americium-241 alpha decays to neptunium-237 with a half-life of 432 years, also emitting a 59.5 keV gamma ray. Am-241 is the most common household radioactive source, present in virtually every smoke detector. A tiny amount (about 1 microgram) ionizes air between two plates.

Peserta

Peran Zat Koefisien Keadaan
Reaktan Americium Am 1 (s)
Produk Neptunium Np 1 (s)
Produk Helium He 1 (g)

Contoh Sehari-hari

The smoke detector in your home contains Am-241 that ionizes air. When smoke particles disrupt this ionization, the alarm sounds.

Pentingnya dalam Industri

Am-241 is used in ionization smoke detectors, industrial thickness gauges, and moisture density gauges in construction.

Sifat

Jenis
Nuclear
Dapat Dibalik
Tidak
Energi
Eksoterm
ΔH
-535000000,0 kJ/mol

Reaksi Terkait

Alpha Decay of Radon-222 Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Beta Decay of Carbon-14 Proton-Proton Chain (Solar Fusion) Uranium-235 Fission Positron Emission of Carbon-11 Positron Emission of Fluorine-18 (PET Scan) Alpha Decay of Radium-226

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Americium-241 Alpha Decay?
The balanced equation is: ²⁴¹Am → ²³⁷Np + ⁴He.
What type of reaction is Americium-241 Alpha Decay?
Americium-241 Alpha Decay is a nuclear reaction.
Is Americium-241 Alpha Decay exothermic or endothermic?
Americium-241 Alpha Decay is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -535000000.0 kJ/mol.