Author Topic: Ionization of H2 with AM241 becomes AMH2 (Bigger mass = more energy)  (Read 2497 times)

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"Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope used in household smoke detectors. If you were looking at an individual americium-241 atom, it would be impossible to predict when it would decay. However, if you have a large collection of americium atoms, then the rate of decay becomes predictable. For americium-241, it is known that half of the atoms decay in 458 years.
Therefore, 458 years is the half-life of americium-241. The half-life is the time it takes for one half of the atoms in any sample to decay."

" The emitted alpha particles ionize gas molecules in the air. As a result, an electric current flows through the detector. When smoke particles enter the detector, the flow of ions is interrupted,causing the alarm to sound."

So, now the million dollar question: Can we use AM241 to create with Hydrogen H2 molecules a bigger molecule thru ionization?    AMH2?

I have collected with help of a friend some AM241 samples from smoke detectors. How would you setup a proper test?

Steve



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Re: Ionization of H2 with AM241 becomes AMH2 (Bigger mass = more energy)
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2013, 22:46:01 pm »
radioactive elements don't form compounds that why they've got no oxidation number in the periodic table
what you want to do expand the orbital?? hydrogen doesnt go above 1s orbital I think..
see here the minimum energy you can give to break H2O is 2x366kj/mol for 2 H-O bonds ..
http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/cact/c120/bondel.html
electrolysis reaction is
Cathode (reduction): 2 H2O(l) + 2eāˆ’ ā†’ H2(g) + 2 OH-(aq)
Anode (oxidation): 4 OH- (aq) ā†’ O2(g) + 2 H2O(l) + 4 eāˆ’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water

if you break the H-H bonds with americium during high voltage electrolysis you get 436kj/mol back for the H-H bond as thermal energy is this what you're trying to do?

you realise it's radioactive right? don't inhale it or eat it.. seriously.. wear gloves and mask... and have a geiger tube somewhere around.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2013, 23:04:05 pm by geon »