Question

Cobalt (60) isotope is used in the treatment of:
A.Heart diseases
B.Skin diseases
C.Diabetes
D.Cancer

Answer 1

Hint:Radioactive material is the material which contains atoms which will spontaneously decay to form other types of atoms by emitting alpha, beta and gamma rays. Isotopes are the forms of the same element that contain the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons and hence differ in atomic mass but have the same chemical properties.

Complete answer:
Cobalt-60 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of cobalt. As it is a radioactive isotope, it decays so it has a half life. Half life is the time taken by a radioactive element to decay till its final mass is half of the initial mass. Half life of cobalt-60 is $$5.2713$$ years. It is artificially produced by nuclear reactors. Uses of cobalt-60 are as follows,
Cobalt-60 is used as a gamma emitter, as the gamma rays emitted by cobalt-60 are of high intensity and also cobalt-60 has a comparatively longer half life than others.
Cobalt-60 is used as a tracer for cobalt in chemical reactions.
Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source for industrial radiation.
Cobalt-60 is utilized as a radiation source for leveling devices and thickness of gauges.
Cobalt-60 is a radiation source for pest insect sterilization.
Cobalt-60 is a radiation source for food irradiation and blood irradiation.
Cobalt is added as a salt in nuclear weapons, to make cobalt bombs.
Cobalt-60 is used as a radiation source in medical therapy. Cobalt-60 emits gamma rays which are used in teletherapy for treating cancer.
Hence, we can say that cobalt-60 is used in treating cancer.

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Note:
Food irradiation is exposing food and food packaging with ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, x-rays, electron beams. It is done to make the food safer and extend its shell life and reduce foodborne diseases.
Blood irradiation is exposure of blood with low levels of light for therapeutic uses, mostly to kill germs, bacteria and viruses.