How is alpha decay used by humans?
1 Answer
Apr 17, 2015
Alpha decay is when an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and the atom decays by a decrease of 4 in mass number and 2 in atomic number.
According to Wikipedia alpha decay usage is in smoke detectors where they use Americium-241 and as a safe power source for radioisotope thermoelectric generator in space probes and artificial heart pacemakers (safe because it is easily shielded by a thin layer of lead).
Hope I helped in answering your question :)
