Study the table of information below about the element carbon and answer the questions that follow - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 5 - 2020
Question 5
Study the table of information below about the element carbon and answer the questions that follow.
Element Symbol
Naturally occurring isotopes
carbon-12 carbon-... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Study the table of information below about the element carbon and answer the questions that follow - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 5 - 2020
Step 1
Define the underlined term.
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Answer
The atomic number is defined as the number of protons in the atoms of an element. It is unique to each element and determines its chemical properties.
Step 2
Name the location within a carbon atom of: (i) its protons.
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Answer
The protons are located in the nucleus of a carbon atom.
Step 3
Name the location within a carbon atom of: (ii) its neutrons.
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The neutrons are also located in the nucleus of a carbon atom.
Step 4
Name the location within a carbon atom of: (iii) most of its mass.
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Most of the mass of a carbon atom is concentrated in the nucleus, which contains both protons and neutrons.
Step 5
Why is most of the mass of a carbon atom concentrated at one location within the atom?
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The mass of an atom is primarily due to protons and neutrons, which are located in the nucleus. Electrons have negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons, hence the nucleus accounts for most of the atomic mass.
Step 6
Why are all carbon atoms electrically neutral?
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All carbon atoms are electrically neutral because they have an equal number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge), resulting in no overall charge.
Step 7
What are isotopes?
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Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons (same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different mass numbers.
Step 8
How many neutrons are there: (i) in an atom of carbon-13?
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In an atom of carbon-13, there are 7 neutrons, since the atomic mass is 13 and there are 6 protons.
Step 9
How many neutrons are there: (ii) in an atom of carbon-14?
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In an atom of carbon-14, there are 8 neutrons, as the atomic mass is 14 and there are 6 protons.
Step 10
Name one type of radiation emitted in radioactive decay.
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One type of radiation emitted in radioactive decay is alpha ( ext{ extalpha}) particles.
Step 11
What is the relative atomic mass, correct to two decimal places, of the element carbon?
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The relative atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01, reflecting the average of its isotopes and their abundances.
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