Americium-241, 95241Am^{241}_{95}\text{Am}95241Am, is an α\alphaα-emitter used in domestic smoke detectors. Inside the detector, the radiation ionizes the air between two electrodes, allowing a current to flow. If smoke enters, the smoke particles easily absorb the α\alphaα-particles, dropping the current and sounding the alarm.
Which properties of α\alphaα-particles, compared to other nuclear emissions, enable this use of americium-241?
high ionising effect, high penetration
high ionising effect, low penetration
low ionising effect, high penetration
low ionising effect, low penetration
134 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.