Transmutation (continued)
Neutrons
10n can be used to cause transmutation also. This is a good way to create large amounts of radioactive isotopes that are not found in nature. For example, neutrons can be used to create the isotope Cobalt-60 which is used in cancer treatment. One step of this reaction is shown below.
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| 59 |
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1 |
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60 |
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Co |
+ |
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n |
→ |
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Co |
| 27 |
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0 |
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27 |
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In this way, we can fine-tune the isotopic mass. Since the neutron has a mass of one, but no charge, we can increase the atomic mass by one.
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