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Multiple Choice
How many electrons are present in a neutral atom of carbon-14?
A
12
B
6
C
8
D
14
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of carbon, which is the number of protons in the nucleus. For carbon, the atomic number is 6.
Understand that a neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons to balance the charge.
Recognize that the isotope notation carbon-14 indicates the mass number (protons + neutrons) is 14, but this does not affect the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
Since the atom is neutral, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, which is the atomic number.
Therefore, the number of electrons in a neutral carbon-14 atom is equal to 6.