Question

Many radioisotopes have important industrial, medical, and research applications. One of these is ⁶⁰Co, which has a half-life of 5.20 years and decays by the emission of a beta particle (energy 0.310 MeV) and two gamma photons (energies 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV). A scientist wishes to prepare a ⁶⁰Co sealed source that will have an activity of at least 10.2 Ci after 43.0 months of use.
If the activity is 10.2 Ci, how many ⁶⁰Co atoms are in the source?

What is the minimum number of nuclei in the source at the time of creation?

What is the minimum initial mass of ⁶⁰Co required?

Answer 1