Hi -

Pretty sure of my answer but would appreciate expert opinion please ?

Many thanks

Americium (241 95Am) undergoes -decay.

Deduce the composition of the nucleus produced by this decay.

Sketch the potential energy well that acts to confine the -particle within the nucleus before the decay takes place. Label your axes and show the energy of the confined -particle on your sketch.

With reference to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, explain how it is possible for the -particle to escape from the potential well you have sketched.

Americium is commonly used in smoke detectors. -decay in americium occurs with a half-life of 432 years. If the purity of americium in a smoke detector must remain above 95.0% for safe use, calculate the operational lifespan of the smoke detector.