Question

question 24 (1 point) cobalt is element 27. cobalt - 60 is used in the medical treatment of cancer. how many neutrons and protons are contained in the nucleus of this isotope? a) 27 neutrons, 33 protons b) 33 neutrons, 27 protons c) 27 neutrons, 27 protons d) 33 neutrons, 33 protons

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic number property

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons. Cobalt has an atomic number 27, so number of protons = 27.

Step2: Calculate number of neutrons

The mass - number of an isotope is the sum of protons and neutrons. For Cobalt - 60, mass - number = 60. Let the number of neutrons be $n$. Then $n+27 = 60$, so $n=60 - 27=33$.

Answer:

B. 33 neutrons, 27 protons