<h3>The balanced nuclear equation</h3>
₂₇⁶⁰Co ⇒ ₂₈⁶⁰Ni + ₋₁⁰e
<h3>Further explanation</h3>
Given
the beta minus decay of Co-60
Required
The reaction
Solution
Radioactivity is the process of unstable isotopes to stable isotopes by decay, by emitting certain particles,
- alpha α particles ₂He⁴
- beta β ₋₁e⁰ particles
- gamma particles ₀γ⁰
- positron particles ₁e⁰
- neutron ₀n¹
Beta minus : ₋₁e⁰ particles
so the reaction :
Co-60 ⇒ X + beta minus
₂₇⁶⁰Co ⇒ X + ₋₁⁰e
In a nuclear decay reaction, the mass number and atomic number of the left (reactant / decayed) and right (product) sides will be the same
mass number = constant = 60
atomic number = 27 - (- 1) = 28
So the element X = ₂₈⁶⁰Ni
₂₇⁶⁰Co ⇒ ₂₈⁶⁰Ni + ₋₁⁰e
