Question

model carbon-12 and carbon-14 by sketching each atom.

• remember that carbons atomic number is 6.
• label each atoms protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• show the charges of the particles.

carbon-12
carbon-14

science notebook · properties of atoms and the periodic table
259

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate neutrons for C-12

Neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number
$\text{Neutrons}_{C-12} = 12 - 6 = 6$

Step2: Identify subatomic particles for C-12

Protons = Atomic number = 6, charge $+1$ each; Electrons = Protons = 6, charge $-1$ each; Neutrons = 6, charge $0$.

Step3: Calculate neutrons for C-14

Neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number
$\text{Neutrons}_{C-14} = 14 - 6 = 8$

Step4: Identify subatomic particles for C-14

Protons = Atomic number = 6, charge $+1$ each; Electrons = Protons = 6, charge $-1$ each; Neutrons = 8, charge $0$.

Step5: Outline sketch structure

For each atom: Draw a central nucleus with protons/neutrons, and electron shells around it with electrons.

Answer:

Carbon-12 Sketch Details:

1. Nucleus (center): 6 protons labeled $\text{p}^+$ (each +1 charge) and 6 neutrons labeled $\text{n}^0$ (0 charge) clustered together.
2. Electron shells: 2 electrons in the inner shell, 4 electrons in the outer shell, all labeled $\text{e}^-$ (each -1 charge).

Carbon-14 Sketch Details:

1. Nucleus (center): 6 protons labeled $\text{p}^+$ (each +1 charge) and 8 neutrons labeled $\text{n}^0$ (0 charge) clustered together.
2. Electron shells: 2 electrons in the inner shell, 4 electrons in the outer shell, all labeled $\text{e}^-$ (each -1 charge).