Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best describes isotopes?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Isotopes
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference in atomic structure between carbon-12 and carbon-14?
A
Carbon-14 has two more neutrons than carbon-12.
B
Carbon-12 and carbon-14 have different numbers of protons.
C
Carbon-14 has two more protons than carbon-12.
D
Carbon-12 has two more electrons than carbon-14.
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Identify that carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, so both have the same number of protons, which is 6.
Determine the number of neutrons by subtracting the number of protons from the mass number: for carbon-12, neutrons = 12 - 6 = 6; for carbon-14, neutrons = 14 - 6 = 8.
Compare the neutrons in carbon-12 and carbon-14 to find the difference: carbon-14 has 2 more neutrons than carbon-12.
Conclude that the key difference in atomic structure between carbon-12 and carbon-14 is the number of neutrons, not protons or electrons.
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