What are the uses of cobalt's radioactive isotopes?

Answer 1

Cobalt-60 is a radioisotope that is mostly used in the medical field. During the last half of the twentieth century, the use of Cobalt-60 was used widely to kill mutated cells, but modern methods favor X-rays produced from linear accelerators. Its main use was in chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells. Cobalt-60 can be implanted directly on or near mutated cells to help stop the spread of cancer. But mostly, the radiation is given in the form of the 2 gamma rays it produces as external irradiation (sometimes called teletherapy).

The radioactivity of Cobalt-60 is also put to use in sterilizing medical instruments by destroying bacteria and other harmful pathogens.

Answer 2

• Lithium cobalt oxide is used as an electrode in lithium batteries. Rechargeable NiMH batteries also contain some cobalt.
• Paints, varnishes and inks can be made with cobalt if a certain color is needed.
• Cobalt is usually added to alloys to create what are known as 'superalloys'. These alloys have a stable temperature so are widely used in jet engines and gas turbines. These alloys are also used in prosthetic hips and knees when replacements are needed. Some false teeth are made using cobalt to avoid nickel Allergies. Permanent magnets are also made from cobalt alloys.
• Several compounds of cobalt are very important in industry as they act as catalysts, speeding up important chemical reactions. Liquid fuels and polymers are two things that are obtained through the use of cobalt catalysts.
• It may be possible to create a nuclear bomb using cobalt-59. The blast would be very small but the area would be contaminated with radioactive waste for some time.
• Cobalt-60 is used in medicine as it produces gamma rays. These are used in radiotherapy, sterilizing medical supplies and waste, sterilizing food and measuring the density of an object.
• Cobalt-57 is also used in medicine. It can be used to work out how much vitamin B12 is being taken in by the human body.
• The ground coats for porcelain enamels are made from cobalt.
• Some jewelery and cutlery are electroplated (coated) with cobalt as it is hard and resistant to oxidation.

Answer 3

Cobalt-59 and cobalt-60 have medical applications.