Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance. A nucleus of cobalt-60 contains 27 protons and 33 neutrons. (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer. The number of electrons in a neutral atom of cobalt-60 is □ A 87 □ B 60 □ C 33 □ D 27 (ii) Cobalt-60 decays by emitting gamma radiation. Explain what happens to the mass of a cobalt-60 atom when a gamma ray is emitted.

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Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2014 - Paper 1

Question 4

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance. A nucleus of cobalt-60 contains 27 protons and 33 neutrons. (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next t... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2014 - Paper 1

Step 1

The number of electrons in a neutral atom of cobalt-60 is

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Answer

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Since cobalt-60 has 27 protons, the number of electrons is also 27. Therefore, the correct answer is D 27.

Step 2

Explain what happens to the mass of a cobalt-60 atom when a gamma ray is emitted.

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When a cobalt-60 atom emits a gamma ray, there is no change in the mass of the atom. Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted during the decay process, and it does not involve the loss of protons or neutrons. As a result, the atomic mass remains the same after the emission of gamma rays.

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Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2014 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2014 - Paper 1

The number of electrons in a neutral atom of cobalt-60 is

Explain what happens to the mass of a cobalt-60 atom when a gamma ray is emitted.

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