An isotope of carbon has a mass number of 14 and contains 8 neutrons in its nucleus. What … — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

An isotope of carbon has a mass number of $14$ and contains $8$ neutrons in its nucleus. What is the atomic number of this carbon atom?

6

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. Since the mass number (

14

) is the sum of protons and neutrons, subtracting the

8

neutrons from

14

yields

6

protons, making the atomic number

6

Identify the relationship between mass number, atomic number, and neutrons.

\text{Mass Number} = \text{Atomic Number (Protons)} + \text{Neutrons}

The mass number of an atom is defined as the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Substitute the known values and solve for the atomic number.

\text{Atomic Number} = 14 - 8 = 6

Subtracting the

8

neutrons from the total mass number of

14

gives the number of protons, which defines the atomic number.

Relationship between mass number, atomic number, and subatomic particles

Estimated Time:45s

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