60 Co is classified as a _____ emitter.

Cobalt-60 (60 Co) is primarily classified as a gamma emitter. This isotope undergoes beta decay, which means it does emit beta particles (electrons) during the decay process; however, the most significant characteristic of 60 Co is its emission of gamma rays.

In the decay process, after emitting beta particles, 60 Co transforms into a stable isotope, nickel-60 (60 Ni), while simultaneously emitting gamma rays, which have high energy and are a distinctive characteristic of cobalt-60's behavior. These gamma rays are extensively used in medical applications, particularly in cancer treatment through radiation therapy.

Understanding the type of radiation emitted by isotopes like 60 Co is crucial in the field of medical dosimetry, as it affects how radiation interacts with matter and, by extension, how it will be used therapeutically in treatment planning.