Question

how many neutrons are in the following isotope: * carbon - 14 your answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic number of carbon

The atomic number of carbon ($C$) is 6. This means the number of protons in carbon is 6.

Step2: Use the formula for number of neutrons

The mass - number of an isotope is the sum of protons and neutrons. For Carbon - 14, the mass - number $A = 14$. Let the number of neutrons be $n$, the number of protons be $p$. The formula is $A=p + n$. We know $p = 6$ and $A=14$. Then $n=A - p$.

Step3: Calculate the number of neutrons

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

Answer:

8