Why are Smoke Detectors Radioactive? And How do Smoke Detectors Work?

[@Kolumbetko]

I like that you coherently used physically accurate electron orbitals. Not just spheres, but actual nested shapes.

[@calebmalcarne5873]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who appreciated that!!

[@maemilev]

Why air purifier doesn't use americium and none radioactive. Different tech, same function??

[@Finex1]

@@maemilev Smoke detectors need to detect a specific type of gas (CO2), so that it doesn't go off all the time with literally any gas in the air like O2 , NO2 etc.

[@m14lvr]

I like how he used spaceships and cheetahs as units of measure. 400,000 times the speed of a cheetah is much easier to comprehend than m/s or mph.

[@AmoghA]

As an engineering student who took up engineering for the love of physics and mathematics (partly inspired by great content on KZbin, this channel included), I really appreciate you trying to deep dive into stuff no one bothers to know! A humble smoke detector has so much going on behind the scenes. Keep inspiring new people :)

[@nidroogd4028]

what engineering did you course? these videos really interest me, and your interest makes me curious

[@mikahstarz-]

I love learning about this! You aren't the only one.

[@bigbaka6529]

I love how educational this is, and the animations help so much it's unreal. Thank you!

[@MLife1000]

The animation is really well done and super helpful 💯

[@cynicalwhovian4238]

It's interesting that Geiger counters are sort of the inverse of smoke detectors. With smoke detectors, you have radiation and look for a gas, while with Geiger counters, you have a gas and look for radiation.

[@tahitinguyen4822]

Well, this guy summarize it pretty well!

[@mattb6646]

Makes sense

[@Wetknees]

Science rules!!

[@martinfarfsing5995]

I've wondered how these 2 devices work since i was a teen . My degrees in electronics and electrical never explained it , now you did. Thanks

[@MarxMin]

I can't get enough of your videos! They are the best! The time spent on animation is amazing! Keep up the great work guys! You have many fans!

[@ingGS]

I greatly enjoyed the humorous bits: “The battery, which is always dead”, “When burnt pop corn…”, “…indicating that you are bad at cooking”. Hahaha.

[@splagyetsi3287]

I cannot express how valuable this video is. I'm 64 and very curious, this video answered many of my question about atoms and some I never new to ask. Even your (add) was related to your video. The animation showing the various sizes of atoms overlaid on the periodic table was brilliant.

[@waelfadlallah8939]

I can't express enough how much i am pleased with this video. And i love how you branched in a clever way to explain other relevant topics besides the mechanism of smoke detector and the incorporation of this mind blowing information about the sizes of atoms and the power they possess it's just amazing. The animation also is brilliant. I will always follow this channel and i hope you always upload videos like this without skipping any bits of information, the more dense the better :)

[@mastershooter64]

I love this! it's not too simplified and not too much detail, it's perfect!

[@MorningLightMtn]

>that slight sass on the annoying beeping >and the always dead batteries >and on terrible cooking and burnt popcorn >recently had to buy a smoke detector Did our esteemed teacher had one too many cooking accidents? The answer may surprise you! Jokes aside, once again you managed to make another excellent video sir. One of the best channels on KZbin. You deserve every sub and far more so.

[@spanifer8227]

Thanks Amazing explanation and effort

[@ScienceSavvy502]

This channel should have millions of subscribers. The content is amazingly well done

[@JayeshSarvaiya]

Just amazing work, simple to understand explanation, wonderfully made animations , Thank you to entire team for bringing such an amazing videos to us. 🌹👍

[@MoistMoments]

I wish my lessons in school were like this, I would have learned much much more, thanks for your informative and intresting videos, keep up the good work.

[@ScimitarGaming]

You are the one defining Education through Animations. Your animations are the most realistic and detailed. I am so glad that you do what you do.

[@jatigre1]

Great video! Reminds me of a neighbor who used this as a timer to remind her when her food was ready. Everyday for years.

[@PulishYuro]

So much information beyond the simple explanation. Love how in-depth you go. Also, how long did it take for someone to make this? So much knowledge needed to make something so "simple".

[@waffle8364]

This definitely had way more information needed to understand how ionizing smoke detectors work. But still loved it

[@barry7608]

Thanks, I’m an x radiation worker (meaning I’m retired not dead) and always look for incorrect information in such vids. Yours was spot on and well worth refreshing smoke detectors. I think your conclusion re danger of alpha v gamma needs more explanation ie that tiny alpha emitter would destroy your inside pretty quick, BUT a dose of a few hundred micro sieverts for several minutes would most likely cause no issue, tho NOT recommended either. Thanks again

[@thevikingwarrior]

Gamma radiation is the real nasty barstood 😅

[@alphatwinsfan]

Unbelievable quality video. All your videos are so incredibly educational, I love watching your channel for hours on end. I often find myself revisiting your videos just to try and wrap my brain around the concepts you explain.

[@JasonKuehn]

Recently discovered your channel and am blown away by the way you explain complex topics with quality and clarity.

[@Nobleman999]

According to my using experience on both of them, the radiation type smoke detector lasts very long, over 20 years without trouble, but it only able to detect smoke ! The laser beam type detector triggers the alarm even with steam or oil vapour during cooking that I do not like if it is installed in kitchen area close to stove. It is much more expensive as compare to the simple radiation type. Not like the radiation type runs with 9V, it requires both batteries and AC power that is not so simple to install and runs it. It starts has trouble after two years like sounding alarm by itself without detecting any smoke or any vapours. I repaired them by cleaning the laser chamber where I saw very few and fine dust accumulate inside, but some still fault alarm after cleaning.

[@sveinwiklund6972]

I was once called to assist with a fire detection system used in a diesel engine generator room. The 'authorities' wanted to test the system, so they set fire to a large pan filled with diesel fuel. The whole room was filled with smoke, but no alarms sounded. At this stage I entered the scene - I started the fan and got the 'diesel smoke' out. Then I got a cigarette from one of the engineers - lit it - and blew smoke into the fire detectors - all worked fine - the alarm sounded every time. Why you may ask. Smoke from burning fuel is (very) dark/black - and black does not reflect light - the cigarette smoke is 'white' - which reflects lights. Wisdom: look at what kind of smoke a fire will generate - the select the type of detector.

[@moistmike4150]

THIS

[@jamesluck2969]

Well rare to see, I believe industrial fire prevention systems should use multiple detection methods just for this purpose.

[@Elysiann]

Ionisation : for rapidily flaming fire Photoelectric/photo optical : slow/smouldering fires ..

[@jray1429]

What you shared is wonderfully presented. Even with a sprinkling of humor - Which is appreciated You did a great job!

[@colonizespace]

This is very well put together. Amazing explanation & animation in demonstration. Thank for putting this together to share. Your content is top notch.

[@benpietersen3723]

By far the best education channel I've come across

[@GabsareSarg]

I love the subtle humor.

[@donniecatalano]

Superb quality and lovely voice. Many thanks

[@ZainulAbidinDevelopers_hub]

That was a very excellent demonstration & explanation of the smoke detectors not only at the hardware level, but it was also interesting at fundamental level, I totally appreciate your work and efforts to create this video.

[@ratheonhudson3311]

Well research, paced, and emotionally stable video. I love the smattering of humour to maintain interest. I learned a lot here. Thank you

[@으후루꾸꾸루후으-m3j]

This channel’s videos is one of reason that why i’m learning English. Thank you for teaching me how the world works.

[@TheCarson116]

Couple things: First & foremost, not all smoke detectors contain radiation: only ionization ones do, it's just that they're the most common. Photoelectric smoke detectors don't contain radiation, & many people fail to mention that this type even exists (let alone explain how they work). Congrats to you for doing both of the latter things. Nice job on that _extremely_ accurate Kidde i9040 model! (at least if you made it, even if on the real thing the "LED tube" is clear instead of red). 0:46 A lot of smoke detectors _do_ have only a battery for power like that one, but just as many can also take 120VAC as a power source (with a backup battery in case the power fails too of course). 0:58 Smoke detectors don't sound like that anymore, only older ones do; modern ones produce a pattern known as "temporal 3": 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause, etc. In addition a "chirp" is not that long: it's just what it sounds like, a chirp, like that a bird would make. 1:09 You say _"few_ basic components", but it all depends on the design & complexity of the unit (& how many features it has). 1:47 It's "Am-ma-ree-cee-um", not "Ameri-cee-um". 1:49 I'm not sure I've ever seen a smoke detector or a consumer box with that symbol, though it might be on bulk boxes of detectors. Also while disassembling a smoke detector is indeed not recommended for several reasons, there's not enough Americium 241 present to hurt you (though as the narrator says directly exposing yourself to it in any way is also not recommended). 4:48 Yeah, even if they _are_ radioactive. 5:04 Yes, though in general it's known as a "detection chamber" regardless of detector type. 6:42 Like hydrogen cyanide? (which I believe is often produced by fires, & can in itself be deadly) 6:49 The _particles generated by_ burning popcorn, not the popcorn itself because that just wouldn't make sense. 8:32 Nice grammar. 10:08 That _is_ interesting! I never thought about where that type of detector got what makes it tick. Neat how a substance that would probably be considered waste in the nuclear power process can actually be used for something! One person's trash is another person's treasure like they say! 11:45 Yep, including what kinds of fire each is best at detecting (sadly most home fires are the kind that ionization detectors, the type most commonly installed, can't detect) 11:47 _"Ionization",_ not _"Ionizing"._ 12:10 Hopefully most people should have enough common sense to _not_ do that. 12:19 Really? I had no idea it worked like that! Fun Fact: some _very_ early ionization smoke detectors actually used another form of radiation called "Radium-226".

[@kingelvis4688]

Are you sure that a smoke alarm contains such a small amount of Americium that it won’t hurt you? I’m asking cause my 6 year old son opened an alarm not long ago cause he wanted to see how it worked and I’m a bit concerned

[@TheCarson116]

@@kingelvis4688 Yes: most only use around 1 microcurie of Americium 241; this is nowhere near enough what's necessary to harm people. It's still not a good idea to open the detection chamber of an ionization smoke detector (as this exposes you directly to the radiation) or come into contact with the Americium in any way though.

[@seanward6063]

I love this video, the visual explanation is amazing the detail that your team must go through to gather as this information then sort it in a way so that most people can understand and to then make an animation for that then to synchronize everything is incredible truly making the world a better place. I also love the jokes that were put in and side mention of how it’s marketed effectively as it is both funny and still educational

[@Yanus3D]

This is the best science channel available on KZbin!

[@primedasymmium]

Thanks for showing where to find the isotope. Now, I'm off to build myself my first homemade reactor to help for this winter. Free energy!

[@kavithakavitha990]

Your pronounciating skill is absolutely superb 😍 what a clear cut explanation sir Well done it

[@wolfgangfrank9648]

Keep doing this channel! Super interesting and very well made

[@pranjalsharma8960]

Small thing but so much engineering going into it.. great explanation as always

[@BenjaminDeutsch-xd1yh]

these animations and models are the best for visualizing the activity of the topic, thank you, 😍 amazing quality

[@thefernpersonwoahg]

how does this man manage to keep my attention i have severe adhd so i get distracted VERY easily and i also have a snall attention span

[@Wetknees]

Because you might be passionate and/or interested in one of the subjects here! Sometimes your passion chooses YOU

[@ramzilight7943]

great voice for a great animation

[@TranquilSeaOfMath]

13:52 The dollar sign being on the wrong side is the biggest draw back I noticed in this video. The animation and narration is great. The sponsor commercial integrates well and feels like it belongs in the video. Well done.

[@MuhammadUsman-om3qg]

I can't stop myself from liking any of your video after watching it.

[@alexanderlin1001]

Thanks to Branch Education and Everyone who supported B - Education for letting us to learn what we want but we can't. ❤️❤️

[@jvitor.csantos]

All the videos from this channel really amaze me. Such a high quality content. Thank you very much.

[@applewaikit]

7:25 "...Or you're bad at cooking" that made me laugh my ass off

[@mistercookie3874]

Best channel ever

[@UCKSpree]

Your content is amazing! One of the best parts of existing now is our unfathomable access to knowledge, and you work so hard to share such high quality educational information, it's an honor to learn from you. Thanks for all your channel does, it makes my life much better.

[@S2SGames]

this type of content is precious

[@mrrogers8158]

This channel is the best

[@dannycunil5989]

A person with a soothing voice, funny jokes, informational information, and 3d models. what more could I ask for? subscribed!

[@user-ani6gm8hap]

Besides the rich amount of knowledge of your videos you also help me sleep everyday. Thank you man

[@Wetknees]

This is a VERY prolific voice actor.

[@magusesper616]

playing multiplayer online games with voice chat there is almost always someone with that smoke detector low battery chip noise going off every few seconds. its just amazing how many people live with that chirp when its such an easy fix that could even save a life. thanks for the video duder.

[@BloodyKnives66]

In the same way people become accustomed to smells in their homes, people become accustomed to noise in their home as well. Eventually, your brain just tells you it's normal, and you tune it out. They're not necessarily dumb. They've just let it beep so long they don't even hear it anymore, and then they forget completely to change the battery.

[@deadzen]

Education to the people! Fantastic videos and I love the trivia at the end of the videos. "Some companies have the thing something thingy flipped" lol, love it.

[@AlamoGamer600]

Wow, it is becoming annoying how good your content is. Keep it up

[@Intelli_Jayant]

Very well explained sir

[@tamassomogyi89]

Omg! Now I know why the smoke detector in my house is set off. I'm a bad cook! 🤣🤣. Jokes aside, I realy love your videos. I had a vague idea of how a smoke detector works, but not all the details. It's fascinating how different areas of science are used to make our lives easier, or even save our lives, starting from physics, to chemistry and electronics. Please don't stop making these kind of videos. I appreciate the hard work you put into these videos!

[@andreas4010]

Swap it out for a light based one, They tend to be less sensitive to kitchen smoke

[@kentlofgren]

Focused and pedagogic, thanks.

[@omthe6655]

We appreciate your creation of such videos which increase our knowledge and light up our minds

[@matze1389]

Wow. Super cool video. The animations, the imformation.. brilliant!

[@wanstaa]

The American company that I'm working in does also sell the smoke dectector all around world. Though I'm for other product function, it's good to know how the dectector is working. Thanks and your posted video explains so clearly.❤

[@JBrd79]

Great video! Very interesting and informative, thank you for this!

[@harshaddhokale2176]

Sir can you please be frequent... I have watched all of your fantastic videos, but in jan 2022, today after 10 months when your video was recommended i recalled you after much time. We await your video so far a lot.... Here after expecting atleast 1 video in a month ☺️☺️☺️

[@vanphan9318]

Kênh này hay , giải thích mô tả bằng hình ảnh rất dễ hiểu. Thời gian đủ dài để nắm bắt kiến thức.

[@zeemonkeyman1]

I’m a Fire protection electrician in Australia and we don’t use ionisation detectors at all these days, it’s all photoelectric.

[@georgeburns7251]

So? The Chinese are taking your country over, what do you expect

[@JackQuark]

Great video.

[@slisamil]

College style lectures that everyone can understand … you sir , should be the benchmark for education

[@ryzlot]

EXCELLENT VIDEO, GRAPHICS, SCRIPT - THANKS JR

[@wizboy1489]

Thank you so much for illustrating the mind-blowing and amazing technology behind the Startlink satellites.

[@Sammyhasbigmuscles]

Are you a bot

[@raselhasan430]

although i couldn't understand but i liked your field of study

[@joyrc01]

Thank you for mentioning Geiger counter. I learnt a new thing

[@theblacktiger59]

This channel is truly a teasure ! Can't wait to learn more. Good job !

[@a-bell]

Beautiful illustration and explanation of smoke detectors

[@marcorodriguez6811]

Congratulations from Ecuador 😊

[@kamalalmatari6958]

Excellent Explanation .

[@mica4977]

The illustrations & explanation were so well done! The atom size section somewhat flew over my head but I'm sure it'll be helpful for others. Now I'm left curious how CO2 detectors/alarms work.

[@Dan.R.A]

I come to these videos for the content, but I just wanted to give a shout out to Phil Lee for his incredibly good voiceover work. What a soothing voice this guy has.

[@SSUKBD]

Excellent demonstration 👌

[@marcosmisael4858]

Don't even know how to say how brilliant this video is! Thanks for another knowledge masterpiece, thank you BE!!! The battery joke 😂😂

[@hamidahmadi1438]

the next gen of education

[@Dr2024x]

Thank you very much for the video!. Regards from México!.

[@jeronimojusto1276]

Best channel on youtube by far

[@NotL3nh]

Wow . Wow THE BEST CHANNEL IVE EVER SEEN ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@drteeth362]

Another good video!

[@sunset3052]

Thanks so much for this great video with easy but technical understanding. Great professional voice and clarity as well.

[@LinksterMx]

learning has never been so beautiful. Thanks!

[@SpacedHawk]

We take this apart so you don’t have to. Saved my life

[@robertboritzki2772]

Amazing 3D video of the technology you really help people understand

[@clandestinewanderers2380]

Loved the battery joke. GOLD!

[@oliya_b]

Insanely beautiful! Thank you!

[@anthonybuddini2828]

Thank you, very well explained ❤

[@luisart6651]

You have already taught me more that the entire education system of my country, I hope this humble wordrs means something, alll that I can do right now is no more than thank, from my soul, to you, and tomorrow, when all of this knowledge pays off, I'll thank you in the proper way, even then Im sure I'll not feel will be enough greatfull for all the knowledge this channel give to me, thank you, sir, you deserve the best this human global society could ever give to you.

[@vijaybhatt9638]

Superb informative video boss 👌👌👌

[@ImPushpendraPal]

best explained video

[@HuzaifaKhan-e3t2o]

Great work sir👍.

[@GreezyWorks]

Fantastic video and outstanding animation! However, "No one would ever buy a radioactive smoke detector" is an opinion and not an objective fact. People used to be fearful of electricity too, but we learned to not to touch live wires. Let us become educated, get over the phobia, and excersise wisdom and proper safety, while taking full advantage of radioactive technologies where they can demonstrate superiority to alternatives.

[@abuDojanaTahmid]

I like the way you showed the sub-orbitals of atoms and pretty accurate structure.

[@systemslave510]

Thank you for going to depth. The great amount of details are welcome.

[@PhysicsViolator]

So if I understood correctly, when smoke enters the chamber and the radioactive americium hits the smoke particles with its decay, the positive and negative potential stored in the plates grow significantly because more smoke atoms are being “knocked” of electrons thus triggering a circuit that measures the voltage potential in the chamber tripping the alarm.