- #1
americast
- 27
- 0
I have heard that if n/p ratio of a substance becomes more than 1.56, it becomes radioactive. But for Cobalt-60, n/p= 1.22. Yet it is radioactive. Why is that so?
Thanx in advance...
Thanx in advance...
Cobalt-60 has an atomic number of 27, meaning it has 27 protons in its nucleus. It also has 27 electrons in orbit around the nucleus. The nucleus of Cobalt-60 contains 33 neutrons, giving it a total atomic mass of 60.
Cobalt-60 is a man-made isotope, meaning it is not found naturally in the environment. It is created by bombarding Cobalt-59 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. This process causes some of the Cobalt-59 atoms to absorb additional neutrons, resulting in the formation of Cobalt-60.
Cobalt-60 is radioactive because it has an unstable nucleus. The nucleus of Cobalt-60 is not able to maintain its current structure, so it releases energy in the form of radiation in order to become more stable. This process is known as radioactive decay.
Cobalt-60 releases radiation in the form of gamma rays. These are high-energy electromagnetic waves that have the ability to penetrate through materials and cause damage to living cells. The gamma rays emitted by Cobalt-60 are what make it useful in medical and industrial applications.
Cobalt-60 is commonly used in the medical field for radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer. It is also used in industrial applications, such as sterilizing medical equipment and food preservation. In addition, Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source in scientific research and in the production of radiopharmaceuticals.