Question

The Americium-241 isotope is used in fire alarms. 

a) Write the decomposition equation.

b) Calculate the energy released during decomposition.

Answer 1

The equation is

$$^{241}_{95}\text{Am}→^{237}_{93}\text{Np}+^{4}_{2}\alpha.$$

The energy released is

$$E=\Delta mc^2=59\text{ keV}.$$