An atom of carbon-12 and an atom of carbon-14 differ in

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Multiple Choice

An atom of carbon-12 and an atom of carbon-14 differ in

Mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 have the same number of protons (six), so they share the same atomic number and would have the same electron count in a neutral state. The difference lies in the neutrons: carbon-12 has six neutrons, while carbon-14 has eight. Adding those neutrons changes the mass number from twelve to fourteen, so the mass number differs between these isotopes.

Mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 have the same number of protons (six), so they share the same atomic number and would have the same electron count in a neutral state. The difference lies in the neutrons: carbon-12 has six neutrons, while carbon-14 has eight. Adding those neutrons changes the mass number from twelve to fourteen, so the mass number differs between these isotopes.

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