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← ScienceWhich outcome occurs when isotopes decay within smoke detectors?
A)Ionization creates measurable electrical current✓
B)Neutron emission causes further reactions
C)Nuclear fission yields gamma radiation
D)Emitted positrons annihilate electrons
💡 Explanation
Alpha particles from Americium-241 decay ionize air molecules via ionization, generating a current; because airflow changes with smoke density, the current varies and alarms trigger; therefore, the alarm signals rather than neutrons triggering secondary reactions because americium emits only alpha not neutron radiation.
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