Americium-241

Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope of the element Americium, which has the atomic number 95 and the symbol Am. It is a man-made element that does not occur naturally on Earth but can be produced in nuclear reactors as a product of nuclear fission.

The nucleus of Americium-241 contains 95 protons and 146 neutrons, giving it a total mass number of 241. It undergoes alpha decay, emitting an alpha particle (a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons) to form a new element, typically neptunium-237 or plutonium-237. The half-life of Americium-241 is about 432 years, meaning that after this time, approximately half of any sample of Americium-241 will have decayed into other elements.

Americium-241 is a strong emitter of alpha particles, which cannot penetrate even a sheet of paper or human skin but can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled. It also emits gamma rays, which are high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can travel through air and other materials. Therefore, proper handling procedures and protective equipment are necessary when working with Americium-241 or any other radioactive material.

Despite its potential hazards, Americium-241 has some practical applications. It is used as a source of ionizing radiation in smoke detectors, where the alpha particles it emits ionize air molecules, leading to the detection of smoke or fire. It is also used in industrial gauges for measuring levels of liquids and solids, and in some medical procedures, such as brachytherapy for treating certain types of cancer.