Solved:
Answered by AI, Verified by Human Experts
We have found 2 isotopes of carbon in our samples, the first with mass number 14 and the second with mass number 12. How many neutrons are in each of the isotopes?
We have found 2 isotopes of carbon in our samples, the first with mass number 14 and the second with mass number 12. How many neutrons are in each of the isotopes?a) 6 neutrons in the first isotope and 6 neutrons in the second isotope
b) 8 neutrons in the first isotope and 6 neutrons in the second isotope
c) 6 neutrons in the first isotope and 8 neutrons in the second isotope
d) 8 neutrons in the first isotope and 8 neutrons in the second isotope
Final answer:For Carbon-12, subtract the atomic number (6) from the mass number (12) to get 6 neutrons. For Carbon-14, subtract the atomic number (6) from the mass number (14) to get 8 neutrons. Option b,Explanation:The number of neutrons in an isotope of carbon can be determined by subtracting the atomic number, which represents the amount of protons, from the mass number of the isotope. Carbon has an atomic number of 6.Therefore, the number of neutrons in Carbon-12 (which has a mass number of 12) is 12 minus 6, giving us 6 neutrons. Similarly, Carbon-14 has a mass number of 14, and when we subtract the 6 protons, this tells us it contains 8 neutrons.To answer the student's question directly, the correct option would be b) 8 neutrons in the first isotope (Carbon-14) and 6 neutrons in the second isotope (Carbon-12).Option b,...