Question

how many neutrons are in carbon - 14?
helium
2
he
4.0026
boron
5
b
10.811
carbon
6
c
12.011
nitrogen
7
n
14.007
oxygen
8
o
15.999
fluorine
9
f
18.998
neon
10
ne
20.180
aluminium
13
al
26.982
silicon
14
si
28.086
phosphorus
15
p
30.974
sulfur
16
s
32.065
chlorine
17
cl
35.453
argon
18
ar
39.948
6
8
14
12

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic number of carbon

The atomic number of carbon ($C$) is 6, which means the number of protons is 6.

Step2: Use mass - number formula

The mass - number ($A$) of carbon - 14 is 14. The formula for mass - number is $A =$ number of protons ($p$)+ number of neutrons ($n$). So, $n=A - p$.

Step3: Calculate number of neutrons

Substitute $A = 14$ and $p = 6$ into the formula: $n=14 - 6=8$.

Answer:

8