Answer :
The correct answer is b) Smoke detectors are quicker to respond.
Smoke detectors are quicker to respond to fires than thermal detectors due to their ability to detect smoke particles interfering with the electrical current created by radioactive elements, which triggers an early warning alarm.
The major advantage of smoke detectors compared to thermal detectors is that smoke detectors are quicker to respond to fires. This rapid response is vital for early detection, which is essential for safety and mitigating damage.
A typical smoke detector operates using a small amount of the radioactive element americium, which ionizes the air between two metal plates, creating a current. When smoke particles from a fire interfere with this current, the drop in current below a set threshold triggers an alarm, providing an early warning of fire.
The correct answer is b) Smoke detectors are quicker to respond.