Cobalt-60 is commonly used in radiation therapy because it emits
- Aalpha rays.
- Bbeta rays.
- Cgamma rays.Correct
- DX-rays.
Explanation
Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt that undergoes radioactive decay. During this process, it first emits a beta particle to transform into Nickel-60. However, the resulting Nickel-60 is in an excited state and immediately releases its excess energy by emitting high-energy gamma rays. These gamma rays are highly penetrating and possess enough energy to destroy the DNA of cancerous cells, making them effective for treating deep-seated tumors in radiation therapy. While beta particles are emitted during the initial decay, it is the powerful gamma radiation that is utilized for medical treatment.
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