What is the half life of americium-241?
Beta particles are generally absorbed in the skin and do not pass through the entire body. The time in which half the atoms of a radioactive substance disintegrate to another nuclear form is known as the half-life. The half-life of americium-241 is about 432 years.
What is the most common form of americium?
Americium-241 is the most common form of Americium. Am-241 found in the environment is in the form of microscopic dust. When released into air, americium deposits particles in the soil and water. Small particles in air can travel far from the release site. In water, americium will stick to particles in the water or to the sediment at the bottom.
What happens when americium is released into the air?
When released into air, americium deposits particles in the soil and water. Small particles in air can travel far from the release site. In water, americium will stick to particles in the water or to the sediment at the bottom. Deposited on soil, americium will stick to surface particles, but not go very deep into the ground.
What is the chemical symbol for americium?
Americium (chemical symbol Am) is a man-made radioactive metal that is solid under normal conditions. Americium is produced when plutonium absorbs neutrons in nuclear reactors or during nuclear weapons tests. Americium-241 is the most common form of Americium. Am-241 found in the environment is in the form of microscopic dust.
Radionuclides Handbook