CCSP · Question #150
There are two general types of smoke detectors. Which type uses a small portion of radioactive material?
The correct answer is B. Ionization. Ionization smoke detectors operate by using a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air between two electrically charged plates, detecting smoke when it disrupts the current.
Question
There are two general types of smoke detectors. Which type uses a small portion of radioactive material?
Options
- APhotoelectric
- BIonization
- CElectron pulse
- DIntegral field
How the community answered
(38 responses)- B95% (36)
- C3% (1)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Ionization smoke detectors operate by using a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air between two electrically charged plates, detecting smoke when it disrupts the current.
Photoelectric smoke detectors work by using a light source and a photosensitive sensor; smoke interferes with the light beam or scatters light into the sensor, triggering the alarm, and do not use radioactive material.
Ionization smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material, typically Americium-241, which ionizes the air in a chamber between two electrodes, creating a small, constant electric current. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts this current, triggering the alarm.
Electron pulse is not a standard type of smoke detector.
Integral field is not a standard type of smoke detector.
Concept tested: Types of smoke detectors
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/home/smoke-alarms
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