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americium

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Americium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Am and atomic number 95. It is a member of the actinide series, and it is the third-longest-lived naturally occurring actinide. Americium is a silvery-white metal that is chemically similar to uranium and thorium.

Americium was first synthesised in 1944 by Glenn T. Seaborg, Arthur Wahl, and Edwin McMillan at the University of Chicago. It was named after the Americas, where the uranium ore from which it was first isolated was found.

Americium is a synthetic element, and it is not found in nature. It is produced by bombarding uranium-235 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Americium-241 is the most common isotope of americium, and it has a half-life of 432.2 years.

Americium has a variety of uses, including:

  • Smoke detectors
  • Neutron sources
  • Radioactive tracers
  • Medical treatments

Americium is a hazardous material, and it can be harmful to human health. It is important to handle americium with caution and to take steps to minimise exposure.

How can the word be used?

Americium is a radioactive element with the symbol Am and atomic number 95.

americium

Different forms of the word

Noun: americium.

Adjective: americium.

Adverb: americiumly.

Gerund: americiuming.

Past participle: americiumed.

Present participle: americiuming.

Etymology

The word "americium" comes from the name of the Americas, because it was discovered in the United States. The word "americium" was first used in English in 1945.

Question

What precautions need to be followed when handling americium?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

What is americium, and what are its key properties and common applications?

Answer:

  • Americium is a chemical element with the symbol Am and atomic number 95. It is a synthetic, radioactive metal belonging to the actinide series in the Periodic Table. Key properties of americium include its high radioactivity and the emission of alpha particles during radioactive decay. Common applications of americium include its use in smoke detectors and certain industrial measuring devices due to its alpha particle emission properties.