Question

A carbon atom has a mass number of $12.$ How many protons and how many neutrons does it have? A) 6,6 C) 6,12 ?) 12,12 D) 12,6

Short answer

A) 6,6

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the Mass Number

The mass number of an atom, also known as the atomic mass, is the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. The problem states that the mass number of the carbon atom is 12.

Identify the Atomic Number

The atomic number of carbon is a known constant, which is 6. The atomic number tells us the number of protons in the atom.

Determine the Number of Protons

Since the atomic number of carbon is 6, it therefore has 6 protons.

Calculate the Number of Neutrons

To find the number of neutrons in the nucleus, subtract the number of protons from the mass number. Therefore, the equation is: $\text{Neutrons}=\text{Mass Number}-\text{Protons}$. Substituting in the known values we get: $\text{Neutrons}=12-6=6$.

Verify with Provided Options

Compare the calculated number of protons and neutrons with the provided options. We found 6 protons and 6 neutrons, so the correct choice is A) 6,6.

Key concepts

Mass Number

The mass number of an atom is an important concept in understanding atomic structure. It represents the total count of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom. It's crucial to note that the mass number is not the same as the atomic mass seen on the periodic table. Atomic mass is an average mass of all isotopes, while the mass number is a specific whole number.

To know the mass of a particular isotope, scientists look at its mass number. For example, in the given exercise, a carbon atom has a mass number of 12. This means there are 12 protons and neutrons combined in its nucleus. Mass number is typically denoted by the canonic notation:

• Superscript to the left of the element symbol; for carbon, it would be written as exttt{^12C}

This mass number helps determine various properties of the element and its stability.

Protons

Protons are positively charged particles found within an atom's nucleus. They are one of the primary constituents that define an element's identity. The atomic number of an element is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. For carbon, the atomic number is 6.

Each element on the periodic table has a unique atomic number. This characteristic helps in distinguishing one element from another. For instance:

• The atomic number of hydrogen is 1, meaning one proton.
• Carbon, with an atomic number of 6, has six protons.
• Oxygen's atomic number is 8, meaning eight protons.

A good way to remember this is that the number of protons equates to the element's position on the periodic table, which remains constant across all its isotopes. This gives each element its distinct chemical properties.

Neutrons

Neutrons are neutrally charged particles that sit alongside protons in the nucleus of an atom. They play a critical role in the stability of an atom. Since neutrons have no charge, they essentially act as a glue, balancing the repulsive forces between the positively charged protons.

To find out the number of neutrons within an atom, we subtract the number of protons from its mass number. For the carbon atom we've analyzed, which has a mass number of 12 and 6 protons, we calculate:

• Number of Neutrons = Mass Number - Protons
• Neutrons = 12 - 6 = 6

The result tells us there are six neutrons in the carbon atom in question. This is essential in understanding different isotopes as they have varying numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons.

Carbon Atom

Carbon is a versatile and fundamental element found abundantly in nature. It's known for being the primary building block of life on Earth.

• Carbon's symbol is C on the periodic table.
• Its atomic number is 6.
• Most common isotope has a mass number of 12.
• Hence, it naturally has 6 protons and 6 neutrons.

The various compounds formed by carbon atoms contribute to the vast chemical diversity in biological molecules and synthetic materials.

Understanding carbon's atomic structure helps clarify its bonding situations. With four valence electrons, a carbon atom can form single, double, and triple bonds. This adaptability makes carbon an integral component of organic chemistry, with its atoms able to bond with themselves and a wide variety of other elements.