Americium

Definition

Americium is a synthetic constituent that has the symbol Am and atomic number 95. A radioactive metallic element, americium is an actinide that was obtain in 1944 by Glenn T. Seaborg who was bombard plutonium with neutrons and was the fourth transuranic element to be discovered.

Application

Americium can be produced in kilogram amounts and has some uses, mostly concerning Am since it is easiest to create relatively pure samples of this isotope. Americium is the only synthetic constituent to have found its way into the household, where one general type of smoke detector uses Am in the form of americium dioxide as its source of ionizing radiation. The quantity of americium in a characteristic smoke detector when new is 1 microcurie or 0.28 microgram.