B+Cobalt-60

=__Isotope and Radioactivity__= = = =Name of radioactive isotope= Cobalt-60 = = = = =Explanation of interesting facts:=
 * 1) has a half-life of 5.27 years
 * 2) not found naturally in nature; created by bombarding Cobalt-59 with a slow neutron source
 * 3) decays by beta decay into Nickel-60
 * 4) used as a tracer of cobalt in chemical reactions
 * 5) used as a sterilizer for medical equipment

=3 Advantages of using the radioactive isotope:=

1 . can be machined/shaped into any form before being used

2. can be used to remove bacteria from food without making the food radioactive

3. can be used internally or externally to treat cancer

=3 Disadvantages of using the radioactive isotope:= 1. creates a fine dust, producing problems with protecting people and the environment from the radiation

2. it takes a long time to treat food

3. because it has a short half-life, it needs to be replaced often

=Is the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery still used today? Explain= Cobalt-60 is still used today, because it is a valuable element for removing the bacteria for food, and is important for cancer radiation therapy.It is also useful for sterilizing medical tools and for tracing cobalt usage in chemical reactions.

=References= www.wikipedia.org www.helium.com www.britannica.com www.epv.gov =Diagram/image (include source and caption)=