Question

1. Smoke detectors use Am-241, an alpha emitter, to detect smoke particles. A parent is concerned that having a smoke detector may expose their child to radioactivity. Which explanation most accurately addresses this concern?

a	Concern is justified since inhaling even small amounts of alpha particles is bad.
b	Smoke inhalation risk is immediate and cancer risk from radiation long-term.
c	If the detector is on the ceiling, the radioactivity exposure is minimal.
d	Alpha particles don't travel far and are stopped by the covering.

2. The series for the decay of lead-211 to lead 207 is

a	positron emission, alpha decay, positron emission
b	positron emission, beta decay, positron emission
c	beta decay, alpha decay, beta decay
d	beta decay, positron emission beta decay

Answer 1