NukeWorker Forum

Career Path => Radiation Safety => Topic started by: gonzo_4362 on Feb 07, 2013, 02:34

Title: Co-60
Post by: gonzo_4362 on Feb 07, 2013, 02:34

What is the correct decay chain for Cobalt 60?
Does Cobalt 60 emmitt gamma rays or is the gamma rays emmitted from its daughters?

Title: Re: Co-60
Post by: GLW on Feb 07, 2013, 03:57

gonzo,

You made the jump from Jr. RCT to RCT 26 months ago,...

The decay chain of Co60 should be like your social security number to you,...

Look in here, it has not changed:

http://www.orau.org/ptp/PTP%20Library/library/Subject/health%20physics%20general/RHH.pdf

Title: Re: Co-60
Post by: macgator on Feb 08, 2013, 09:04

Good link GLW, that is a good reference.

Co-60 Beta decays to Ni-60 which emits the two gammas at 1.33 and 1.17 MeV to de-excite. This is also the fact with Cs-137 which Beta decays to Ba-137m which then de-excites by gamma emission (662 KeV).

The more knowledge you gain in your craft, the more employable you will become.

Title: Re: Co-60
Post by: gonzo_4362 on Feb 08, 2013, 12:56

Thanks for the input!!!! The only reason I posted this question is because there was some discrepancies between fellow techs.......( Go Figure )