Question

Cobalt-53 (Co) is unusual because it decays by emitting a proton. What is the resulting element that remains after cobalt has undergone this unusual form of decay?

Answer 1

Cobalt-58 has 27 protons , capturing an electron to becomes Iron Fe-58 26 protons

Answer 2

when you say it emits a proton you really mean a proton flips into a neutron (with the aid of captured electron)

\[ _{58}^{27}Co + e^{-}\rightarrow _{58}^{26}Fe , \] Energy 2.3MeV, Half-life 71days