Part 1: Our smoke detectors safe?
Part 2: Radon gas is in an insert gas that is not toxic orpoisonous, but is radioactive and emits alpha particles. Why isradon dangerous?
Part 3: What are the advantages and problems with nuclearenergy?
Background information: The modern theory of the atom is thatthe atom consist of a nucleus of protons and neutrons. Electronssurrounding the nucleus, not as particles orbiting the nucleus, butas standing matter waves like the standing waves on a guitar stringthat has been plucked. As such, there location is not preciselyknown. Most of the atom is empty space. The total energy of anelectron in an atomis quantized meaning it has certain discreteenergy values such as 1 or 2 or 3 energy units, but nothing inbetween like 1, 23 or 2.76 energy units. When an electron in anatom has a transition (i.e. falls) from a higher energy state to alower energy state, the atom can give off a particle of lightcalled a photon.
With regards to the nucleus, if the ratio of the number ofneutrons to the number of protons is greater than about 1. Thenucleus is unstable. First, the three main decay products of anunstable or radioactive nucleus are alpha particles, betterparticles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles are just then nucleus ofa helium atom (2 protons and 2 neutrons). They do not penetratevery far. Dead skin or a sheet of paper can stop them. Betaparticles are electrons and can penetrate a thin layer of steel. A1-cm thick piece of plastic can stop them. Gamma rays arehigh-energy protons and are very penetrating.
If a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles isingested, the living tissue stops them and obsorbes their energy.Smoke detectors contain a radioactive isotope that emits alphaparticles.
