Americium-241 Alpha Decay

241Am → 237Np + 4He

Visão geral

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.

Participantes

Papel Substância Coeficiente Estado
Reagente Americium Am 1 (s)
Produto Neptunium Np 1 (s)
Produto Helium He 1 (g)

Exemplo do cotidiano

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

Importância industrial

O Am-241 é utilizado em detetores de fumo por ionização, em medidores industriais de espessura e em medidores de densidade e humidade na construção.

Propriedades

Tipo
Nuclear
Reversível
Não
Energia
Exotérmico
ΔH
-535000000,0 kJ/mol

Reações relacionadas

Alpha Decay of Radium-226 Alpha Decay of Radon-222 Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 Beta Decay of Iodine-131 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Alpha Decay of Polonium-210 Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Plutonium-239 Fission Electron Capture by Beryllium-7

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.