One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute amount of radioactive am

Question

One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute amount of radioactive americium-241 (^241Am), which decays by ?-particle production. The ?-particles ionize molecules in the air, allowing it to conduct an electric current. When smoke particles enter, the conductivity of the air changes and the alarm buzzes.

(a) Write the equation for the decay of 241 Am by ?-particle decay.
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(b) The complete decay of ^241Am involves successive ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and ? production.

Identify the 11 intermediate nuclides.
What is the final stable nucleus produced in this decay series?

Explanation / Answer

(a)  24195 Am ->23793Np  on α-particle decay .

(b)  24195 Am ->23793Np + (α)->23391Pa + (α)->23392U + (β)->22990Th + (α)->22588Ra + (α)->22589Ac + (β)    ->22187Fr + (α)->21785At + (α)->21786Rn + (β)->21384Po + (α)->21385At + (β) 

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