Question

carbon (c) is one of the most abundant elements on earth and is a critical element in the molecules that make up living things. carbons atomic number is 6 and its atomic mass is 12. this means that carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons, and 6 neutrons.

Explanation:

Step1: Protons and electrons

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus. For carbon, the atomic number is 6, so the number of protons is 6. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. So the number of electrons is also 6.

Step2: Neutrons

The atomic mass of an element is approximately equal to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Given that the atomic mass of carbon is 12 and the number of protons is 6, we can find the number of neutrons using the formula \(n = A - Z\), where \(A\) is the atomic mass and \(Z\) is the atomic number. So \(n=12 - 6=6\).

Answer:

Carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons, and 6 neutrons.