Americium-241 Alpha Decay

241Am → 237Np + 4He

Обзор

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.

Участники

Роль Вещество Коэффициент Состояние
Реагент Americium Am 1 (s)
Продукт Neptunium Np 1 (s)
Продукт Helium He 1 (g)

Пример из жизни

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

Промышленное значение

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

Свойства

Тип
Nuclear
Обратимая
Нет
Энергия
Экзотермическая
ΔH
-535000000,0 kJ/mol

Связанные реакции

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.