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 protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Explanation:

Step1: Protons and electrons

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons and also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom. Given that carbon's atomic number is 6, so the number of protons \(=6\) and the number of electrons \(=6\).

Step2: Neutrons

The formula for calculating the number of neutrons is \(n = A - Z\), where \(A\) is the atomic mass and \(Z\) is the atomic number. Given \(A = 12\) and \(Z=6\), then \(n=12 - 6=6\).

Answer:

Protons: \(6\), Electrons: \(6\), Neutrons: \(6\)