When cobalt-59 is placed in a nuclear reactor, what particle does it capture to become cobalt-60?

Cobalt-59 captures a neutron to become cobalt-60, which is a key process in the context of nuclear reactions. Neutron capture occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus captures a neutron. Cobalt-59 is stable and has 27 protons and 32 neutrons. When it captures a neutron, the atomic mass increases by one, resulting in cobalt-60, which has 27 protons and 33 neutrons.

This process is significant in nuclear technology and various applications such as the production of radioactive isotopes. The properties of cobalt-60 make it useful in fields like medical radiotherapy and industrial radiography. Understanding neutron capture is crucial for anyone studying nuclear physics or radiographic testing, as it underlines the foundational principles of how isotopes are formed and transformed in nuclear reactors.