Carbon-14 and carbon-12 are isotopes of carbon - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 5
Carbon-14 and carbon-12 are isotopes of carbon.
Compare the structure of an atom of carbon-14 with the structure of an atom of carbon-12.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Carbon-14 and carbon-12 are isotopes of carbon - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Similarities
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Answer
Both carbon-14 and carbon-12 have the same number of protons, which is 6, and are therefore both carbon. They also have the same number of electrons, contributing to similar chemical properties.
Step 2
Differences
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Answer
The main difference lies in their neutron count; carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 8 neutrons, giving them different mass numbers. This variance in neutrons causes carbon-14 to be radioactive, unlike carbon-12.
