Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which kills them or keeps them from dividing. One type of radiation therapy uses cobalt- 60, which is a synthetic radioisotope produced by the neutron activation of Co-59. Once formed, Co-60 becomes Ni-60 via a radioactive decay process. Describe the radioactive decay of Co-60 to Ni-60 and explain how this can be used in radiation therapy. Provide a reference in ACS format.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which kills them or keeps them from dividing. One type of radiation therapy uses cobalt- 60, which is a synthetic radioisotope produced by the neutron activation of Co-59. Once formed, Co-60 becomes Ni-60 via a radioactive decay process. Describe the radioactive decay of Co-60 to Ni-60 and explain how this can be used in radiation therapy. Provide a reference in ACS format.
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Transcribed Image Text:Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells,
which kills them or keeps them from dividing. One type of radiation therapy uses cobalt-
60, which is a synthetic radioisotope produced by the neutron activation of Co-59. Ônce
formed, Co-60 becomes Ni-60 via a radioactive decay process. Describe the radioactive
decay of Co-60 to Ni-60 and explain how this can be used in radiation therapy. Provide a
reference in ACS format.
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As already stated in the question, Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which kills them or keeps them from dividing further.
The isotope of cobalt-59 used for this therapy is produced synthetically in the lab, using the reaction :
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