Americium-241

Americium-241 (Am-241 or 241Am) is a radioactive isotope of the element americium. It is used in a variety of industrial and medical applications, most notably in smoke detectors and as a source of gamma radiation in medical radiography.

Characteristics

Americium-241 is a radioisotope that decays by alpha decay and gamma decay, with a half-life of 432.2 years. It emits alpha particles and gamma rays, which can be harmful to living organisms if not properly shielded. The alpha particles are relatively low in energy, but they can cause significant damage if they come into direct contact with living tissue.

Production

Americium-241 is produced in nuclear reactors by the neutron irradiation of plutonium-239. The plutonium-239 absorbs a neutron to become plutonium-240, which then absorbs another neutron to become plutonium-241. The plutonium-241 undergoes beta decay to become americium-241.

Applications

Americium-241 is used in a variety of applications due to its strong emission of alpha particles and gamma rays. It is used in smoke detectors, where a small amount of the isotope is used to ionize the air in the detection chamber. The alpha particles cause ionization, which allows the smoke particles to be detected.

In medicine, Americium-241 is used as a source of gamma radiation in radiography. It is also used in radiotherapy for the treatment of certain types of cancer.

Safety

Due to its radioactivity, Americium-241 must be handled with care. It is a significant hazard if ingested or inhaled, as the alpha particles can cause significant damage to living tissue. Proper shielding and handling procedures must be followed to ensure safety.

See also

• Americium
• Radioisotope
• Radiography
• Radiotherapy

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