What is the decay product of cobalt-60?

Cobalt-60 decays by beta and gamma emission to non-radioactive nickel. Most of the radiation from the decay of cobalt- 60 is in the form of gamma emissions; some is in the form of beta particles.

How do you calculate decay events?

Therefore, given a sample of a particular radioisotope, the number of decay events expected to occur in a small interval of time Δt is proportional to the number N of atoms present. The decay rate, dN/dt, is proportional to N. The following first-order differential equation describes the decay. N(t) = N0exp(-λt).

What is the decay constant for the radioactive disintegration of cobalt-60?

5.27 years
For cobalt-60, which has a half-life of 5.27 years, 50% remains after 5.27 years (one half-life), 25% remains after 10.54 years (two half-lives), 12.5% remains after 15.81 years (three half-lives), and so on.

What kind of decay does Cobalt 60 have?

Cobalt-60 is a nuclide that β− decays in the following manner: 60 Co → 60 Ni + β− + neutrino. The neutrino is a particle emitted in beta decay that was unanticipated and is of fundamental importance. The neutrino was not even proposed in theory until more than 20 years after beta decay was known to involve electron emissions.

What is the nuclear equation for Cobalt 60?

In the latter case (in the absence of added cobalt) the incidentally produced 60 precursor. The simplest case of the latter would result from the activation of 58 ). The activated nickel nucleus emits two gamma rays with energies of 1.17 and 1.33 MeV, hence the overall nuclear equation of the reaction is 59 e + gamma rays.

How are Cobalt 60 particles harmful to humans?

Cobalt-60 (Co-60) Beta particles: electrons ejected from the nucleus of a decaying atom. Although they can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminum, beta particles can penetrate the dead skin layer, potentially causing burns. They can pose a serious direct or external radiation threat and can be lethal depending on the amount received. They

How is Cobalt 60 used in radiation therapy?

Cobalt 60. Cobalt-60 ( 60Co) is a synthetic radioisotope that has been used in both external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy. 60Co decays via \\(\\beta\\) decay to an excited state of Nickel-60 which then emits two high energy (1.17MeV and 1.33MeV) gamma-rays.