For carbon- 14 and carbon- 12, how many protons and neutrons are in each nucleus? Assuming neutral atoms, how many electrons are present in an atom of carbon- 14 and in an atom of carbon- \(12 ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
For Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 isotopes, both have 6 protons and 6 electrons in each nucleus, as the atomic number of carbon is 6. However, Carbon-12 has 6 neutrons (\( 12 - 6 = 6 \) neutrons), and Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons (\( 14 - 6 = 8 \) neutrons).

Step by step solution

01

Carbon Atomic Number and Atomic Mass

To determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in carbon isotopes, we first need to know the atomic number (Z) and atomic mass (A) of carbon. The atomic number of carbon is 6, which means that it has 6 protons in its nucleus.
02

Carbon-12 Isotope

In the case of Carbon-12, the atomic mass is 12 (6 protons + 6 neutrons). Since the atomic number is 6, we know that the number of protons is 6. Hence, to find the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass: \( 12 - 6 = 6 \) neutrons.
03

Carbon-14 Isotope

In the case of Carbon-14, the atomic mass is 14 (6 protons + 8 neutrons). Since the atomic number is 6, we know that the number of protons is 6. To find the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass: \( 14 - 6 = 8 \) neutrons.
04

Electron Count for Neutral Atoms

In the case of neutral atoms, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, both Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 will have 6 electrons each. From the steps above, we can conclude the following: Carbon-12: - 6 protons - 6 neutrons - 6 electrons (assuming a neutral atom) Carbon-14: - 6 protons - 8 neutrons - 6 electrons (assuming a neutral atom)

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