Carbon has the atomic number 6. Find the number of neutrons in carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14.
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Carbon has the atomic number .
- Find the number of neutrons in carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14.
- Which of the three is radioactive, and what is it used for?
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Isotopes are atoms of the same element, with the same and a different . They have the same electrons, so the same chemical properties. Isobars are atoms of different elements with the same and a different . The mass of a molecule is the sum of the masses of its atoms.
The worked solution
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Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Carbon-12. neutrons.
Step 2. Carbon-13. neutrons.
Step 3. Carbon-14. neutrons.
Step 4. (b) Carbon-14 is radioactive. It is used to find the age of old wood, bone and cloth.
Answer: (a) , and . (b) carbon-14, for dating old remains.
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