Cobalt-60 is a very strong gamma emitter and as such is hard to shield. Direct handling is likely to be fatal. Even dozens of feet away from a bare sample of large enough size could expose you to LD50 levels and you will need medical treatment to recover from the radiation poisoning.
Cobalt-60 is commonly used for food irradiation, to kill dangerous organisms. In this case workers operate behind thick leaded concrete shields and the food passes by the sample on conveyer belts. In particular dried spices are treated this way.
No, cobalt-60 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of cobalt. It is produced by bombarding stable cobalt-59 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.
A cobalt-60 from Delhi University, which was unused for 25 years, was sold to unsuspecting scrap dealers. They then dismantled it and due to the harmful radiation emmited by the cobalt-60 pencils, there were 5 people who were exposed to radiation in which one died.
Cobalt-60 decay to nickel-60:Co-60------------Ni-60 + 1 electron + 1 neutrino + gamma rays
The only natural isotope of Cobalt is Cobalt-59.
Since cobalt has an atomic number of 27, any isotope of it contains 27 protons and 27 electrons per atom. The isotope with mass number 60 contains (60 - 27) or 33 neutrons per atom.
When cobalt-60 emits a gamma ray, it remains as cobalt-60. The emission of a gamma ray does not change the identity of the cobalt-60 isotope.
Gamma radiation destroy harmful microorganisms and insects.
No, cobalt-60 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of cobalt. It is produced by bombarding stable cobalt-59 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.
Yes, it is.
Cobalt-60 has an 1/2 life of 5.24 years
A cobalt-60 from Delhi University, which was unused for 25 years, was sold to unsuspecting scrap dealers. They then dismantled it and due to the harmful radiation emmited by the cobalt-60 pencils, there were 5 people who were exposed to radiation in which one died.
Cobalt 60 has an extra neutron buit that does not affect chemical properties
Cobalt-60 decay to nickel-60:Co-60------------Ni-60 + 1 electron + 1 neutrino + gamma rays
Cobalt 60 is a radioactive chemical not usually available for sale. Cherolet manufactures the car Cobalt, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Its cost is about $30,000.
The only natural isotope of Cobalt is Cobalt-59.
Cobalt 60 is a very valuable radiation source for the treaments of many types of cancers.
Since cobalt has an atomic number of 27, any isotope of it contains 27 protons and 27 electrons per atom. The isotope with mass number 60 contains (60 - 27) or 33 neutrons per atom.