When we think of radioactivity, images of nuclear reactors or radioactive waste often come to mind. However, radiation is a ...

The University of Jyväskylä (Finland), in collaboration with the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), has developed a new type of ...

A smoke detector of this type uses a metal shell to house a tiny sample of radioactive americium that emits alpha particles into the space between two electrodes. These ionise the air in that ...

One example of a use of alpha radiation is in smoke detectors. A source of alpha radiation is used because the range is very low and alpha radiation has a very high ionising power.

One example of a use of alpha radiation is in smoke detectors. A source of alpha radiation is used because the range is very low and alpha radiation has a very high ionising power.