What is the half-life of Cobalt-60?

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope that is widely used in medical treatments and industrial applications, particularly in cancer radiation therapy. The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of a sample of that substance to decay.

The half-life of Cobalt-60 is approximately 5.3 years. This means that after 5.3 years, half of the original amount of Cobalt-60 will have transformed into other elements or isotopes through radioactive decay. The specific half-life of 5.3 years allows medical and industrial applications to effectively schedule dosages and plan for the safe handling of the isotope based on its decay characteristics.

Understanding the half-life is crucial for managing radiation exposure and ensuring that the material is used effectively and safely in various applications. This knowledge directly informs practices in radiation safety, inventory management of radioactive materials, as well as the design of equipment that utilizes Cobalt-60.