Question

Radioactive cobalt-60 is used in radiation therapy treatment. Cobalt-60 undergoes beta decay. This type of nuclear reaction is called

(1) natural transmutation
(2) artificial transmutation
(3) nuclear fusion
(4) nuclear fission

Answer 1

Cobalt-60 undergoes beta decay, which is classified as natural transmutation because it involves the natural transformation of the cobalt nucleus into a different element, nickel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of nuclear reaction in which cobalt-60 undergoes is known as beta decay. During this process, cobalt-60 decays by emitting an electron (or beta particle) and transforms into nickel-60, accompanied by the emission of gamma radiation. This transformation is classified as natural transmutation, because it involves a change in the nucleus of a single atom of cobalt-60 into a different element (nickel) naturally over time. Since cobalt-60 is a synthetic radioisotope produced by neutron activation, the initial creation of cobalt-60 can be considered artificial transmutation, but the subsequent decay into nickel-60 is a natural process.

Therefore, the correct answer to this question is (1) natural transmutation.

Answer 2

The answer is (1) natural transmutation. When Co-60 undergoes beta decay (be it beta positive or beta negative), the product is another element (Fe or Ni). Transmutation is when an element turns into another element via a nuclear process. Since this occurs without the aid of another agent that causes the nuclear change (e.g. a neutron source), it is natural transmutation.