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Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope used in smoke detectors. If the symbol for this isotope is , which of the following correctly describes its subatomic composition?

User Abjennings
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Final answer:

Americium-241, denoted as 24195Am, is composed of 95 protons and 146 neutrons in its nucleus, along with electrons in the outer shells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked about the subatomic composition of Americium-241, which is a radioactive isotope used in smoke detectors. Americium-241, represented as 241Am or 24195Am, indicates that the isotope has a total of 241 nucleons, which includes both protons and neutrons. The lower number, 95, represents the number of protons present in the nucleus of the atom. Since the atomic number of Americium is 95, the number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number: 241 - 95 = 146 neutrons. Therefore, in its subatomic composition, Americium-241 has 95 protons and 146 neutrons, along with its electrons in the outer shells.

User Daniel San
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