2007-10-08 23:31:53 · 3 answers · asked by nytg 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
There are two types of smoke alarms - photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric smoke alarms work by emitting a beam of light on a sensor; an alarm is triggered when enough of the light is scattered by smoke, that the target is obstructed. Ionization works by using a tiny bit of radioactive material placed across from a "collector plate" for the ions. When smoke enters the alarm and disrupts this flow of ions, the alarm is triggered.
You can find out more information here:
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa071401a.htm
2007-10-10 07:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by Mark R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a beam of light in the sensor, if it gets broken by smoke or something in the air it will set the alarm off, have had spiders cause it to go off,
2007-10-09 00:49:05 · answer #2 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of them detect smoke.
some of them detect carbon monoxide.
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there is a sensor that is used to detect whichever.
2007-10-08 23:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋