Sources of Americium:
Americium is a synthetic element that is not found naturally on Earth. It is typically produced in nuclear reactors or through the bombardment of plutonium with neutrons.
Uses of Americium:
Americium has a few practical applications, including:
Smoke detectors: Americium is used in some smoke detectors to detect the presence of smoke particles in the air.
Nuclear batteries: Americium is used as a power source for some devices, such as pacemakers and space probes.
Industrial gauges: Americium is used in some industrial gauges to measure the thickness of materials.
Production of Americium:
Americium is produced through the nuclear bombardment of plutonium with neutrons. This process typically involves the following steps:
Target preparation: Plutonium targets are prepared for irradiation in a nuclear reactor.
Irradiation: The plutonium targets are irradiated with neutrons, which causes some of the plutonium to undergo nuclear transmutation and produce americium.
Separation and purification: The americium is separated from the other elements produced during irradiation and purified.
Chemical Properties of Americium:
Americium is a chemical element with the symbol Am and atomic number 95. It is a highly reactive metal that can easily form compounds with other elements. Some of the key chemical properties of americium include:
Oxidation states: Americium can exist in a wide range of oxidation states, from +2 to +7.
Radioactivity: Americium is highly radioactive and emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.
Physical Properties of Americium:
Americium has a number of physical properties that make it unique, including:
State: Americium is a solid at room temperature.
Appearance: Americium has a silvery appearance, but it quickly tarnishes in air.
Density: Americium is a dense metal, with a density of about 13.67 g/cm3.
Radioactivity: Americium is highly radioactive and emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.