americium
Synthetic radioactive element
Americium is a synthetic radioactive element, atomic number 95, created by bombarding plutonium with neutrons.
It belongs to the actinide series and was first produced during the Manhattan Project.
Its most common practical use is in household smoke detectors, where a tiny amount ionizes air to detect smoke particles.
Synthetic radioactive metallic element
- berkeliumSynthetic actinide, atomic ninety-seven
- californiumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-eight
- einsteiniumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-nine
- fermiumSynthetic actinide, atomic 100
- Manhattan ProjectClandestine atomic weapons program
- 1944Mid-forties wartime year
- ChicagoMajor Illinois metropolis
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
Emitted helium nuclei
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- isotopesAtomic number twins
radiation · radioactive decay · ionizing · contamination · radionuclide · dosimeter · shielding · exposure
Controlled fission energy source
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- breeder reactorReactor producing fissile material
- spent nuclear fuelUsed reactor core material
- reprocessingHandling material again
Heavy radioactive metal series
- synthetic elementLaboratory-produced atomic species
- silveryPale metallic sheen
- denseClosely packed together
- malleableCapable of being shaped
electropositive · Am · periodic table · nuclear chemistry · radiochemistry · valence · metallic
Devices sensing airborne combustion particles
- nuclear batteriesDevices converting radioactive decay to electricity
- space probesUnmanned interplanetary research vessels
- portable X-rayMovable diagnostic imaging equipment
neptunium
Synthetic radioactive metallic element
- berkeliumSynthetic actinide, atomic ninety-seven
- californiumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-eight
- einsteiniumSynthetic actinide, number ninety-nine
Glenn Seaborg
- Manhattan ProjectClandestine atomic weapons program
- 1944Mid-forties wartime year
- ChicagoMajor Illinois metropolis
alpha particles
Emitted helium nuclei
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
isotopes · radiation · radioactive decay · ionizing · contamination · radionuclide · dosimeter · shielding · exposure
nuclear reactor
Controlled fission energy source
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- breeder reactorReactor producing fissile material
- spent nuclear fuelUsed reactor core material
reprocessing · separation · purification · Oak Ridge · cyclotron
actinide
Heavy radioactive metal series
- synthetic elementLaboratory-produced atomic species
- silveryPale metallic sheen
- denseClosely packed together
malleable · electropositive · Am · periodic table · nuclear chemistry · radiochemistry · valence · metallic
smoke detectors
Devices sensing airborne combustion particles
- nuclear batteriesDevices converting radioactive decay to electricity
- space probesUnmanned interplanetary research vessels
- portable X-rayMovable diagnostic imaging equipment
America, American, curium, Americana, plutonium, Americanization, transuranic, Amerindian, unamerican