Which is a possible daughter nuclide formed in this model of a beta decay reaction? (1 point) ⁶⁰₂₇Co → 2⁰₋₁β + 2⁰₀γ + ? Responses Nickel - 60 Nickel - 60 Copper - 60 Copper - 60 Iron - 26 Iron - 26 None of these will be formed.

1 answer

In the beta decay reaction provided, \( ^{60}_{27}\text{Co} \) (Cobalt-60) decays. In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton while releasing a beta particle and an antineutrino. This increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the mass number the same.

Thus, the decay product of \( ^{60}_{27}\text{Co} \) will have the following properties:

  • Mass number: 60 (remains the same)
  • Atomic number: 28 (increased by 1)

This results in the formation of \( ^{60}_{28}\text{Ni} \) (Nickel-60).

Therefore, the correct answer is Nickel - 60.