${ }_{27}^{60} \mathrm{Co}$ has an atomic mass of $59.933819 \mathrm{u}$, and ${ }_{28}^{60} \mathrm{Ni}$ has an atomic mass of $59.930788 \mathrm{u}$. Which is the correct decay process (or the likeliest if more than one is ${ }^{28}$ possible)?
A) ${ }^{60} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow{ }^{60} \mathrm{Co}+v$
B) ${ }^{60} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow{ }^{60} \mathrm{Co}+e^{-}+\bar{v}$
C) ${ }^{60} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow{ }^{60} \mathrm{Co}+e^{+}+v$
D) ${ }^{60} \mathrm{Co} \rightarrow{ }^{60} \mathrm{Ni}+\boldsymbol{e}^{-}+\bar{v}$
E) ${ }^{60} \mathrm{Co} \rightarrow{ }^{60} \mathrm{Ni}+e^{+}+v$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cobalt-60 (${ }^{60}\mathrm{Co}$) decays into Nickel-60 (${ }^{60}\mathrm{Ni}$) through beta decay, emitting an electron ($e^{-}$) and an antineutrino ($\bar{v}$). This process increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the atomic mass constant, consistent with the transformation from cobalt to nickel.

2760Co{ }_{27}^{60} \mathrm{Co}2760​Co Has an Atomic Mass Of 59.933819u59.933819 \mathrm{u}59.933819u , And

${ }_{27}^{60} \mathrm{Co}$ Has an Atomic Mass Of $59.933819 \mathrm{u}$ , And