Cobalt 60 (Noun)
Meaning
A radioactive isotope of cobalt with mass number 60; a source of exceptionally intense gamma rays; used in radiation therapy.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Cobalt-60 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of cobalt with many applications in medicine and industry.
- The cobalt-60 source is contained in a protective housing to prevent exposure to the intense gamma radiation.
- In radiation therapy, cobalt-60 machines are used to treat cancer by delivering a precise dose of gamma radiation to the tumor.
- The gamma knife uses a large number of cobalt-60 sources to focus intense radiation on a small area of the brain.
- The widespread use of cobalt-60 in radiation therapy has saved countless lives by providing an effective treatment for many types of cancer.