A particular smoke detector contains 1.05 μCi of  241Am241Am, with a half-life of 458 years.  The isotope is encased in a thin aluminum container. Calculate the mass of 241 Am in grams in the detector. Express your answer numerically in grams.   Part B:  Fears of radiation exposure from normal use of such detectors are largely unfounded. Identify reasons why 241 Am smoke detectors are perfectly safe. Select all that apply a. The penetrating power of αα radiation is limited. b. Ions get trapped by electrodes. c. The amount of americium is very little.

College Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285737027
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter30: Nuclear Energy And Elementary Particles
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 12P
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Part A:
A particular smoke detector contains 1.05 μCi of  241Am241Am, with a half-life of 458 years.  The isotope is encased in a thin aluminum container. Calculate the mass of 241 Am in grams in the detector.
Express your answer numerically in grams.
 
Part B: 
Fears of radiation exposure from normal use of such detectors are largely unfounded. Identify reasons why 241 Am smoke detectors are perfectly safe.
Select all that apply
a. The penetrating power of αα radiation is limited.
b. Ions get trapped by electrodes.
c. The amount of americium is very little.
d. The number of αα particles leaving the case is low.
e. The detector has a plastic cover.
 f. The detector is housed in an aluminum case.
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