Question

1. carbon-12 and carbon-14 are ______

a. ions because they have a different number of electrons

b. isotopes because they have a different number of neutrons

c. ions because they have the same number of electrons

d. isotopes because they have the same number of neutrons

Explanation:

Analyze the relationship between Carbon-12 and Carbon-14

Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are atoms of the same element (carbon, atomic number 6) with different mass numbers (12 and 14).

Determine the subatomic differences

• Carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons.
• Carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons.
• Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are defined as isotopes.

Match with the correct multiple-choice option

• Option B correctly identifies them as isotopes because they have a different number of neutrons.

Answer:

• A. Ions because they have a different number of electrons
• B. Isotopes because they have a different number of neutrons (Correct answer)
• C. Ions because they have the same number of electrons
• D. Isotopes because they have the same number of neutrons