Question #c9f53

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Aug 2, 2016

#""_(color(white)(a)6)^14"C"#

Explanation:

The problem gives you the isotope's atomic number, which means that you know how many protons it contains in its nucleus.

In this case, your isotope has an atomic number

#Z=6#

which tells you that you have #6# protons inside the nucleus. You also know that the isotope has #8# neutrons, which means that you have all the information that you need in order to calculate its mass number, #A#

#color(blue)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)A = Z + "no. of neutrons" color(white)(a/a)|)))#

In this case, you have

#A = 6 + 8 = 14#

Now, grab a periodic table and look for the element that has an atomic number equal to #6#. You'll find it located in period 2, group 14 #-># carbon, #"C"#.

You know that you're dealing with an isotope of carbon that has #8# neutrons. To write it using isotope notation, add the mass number to the upper left of the chemical symbol and the atomic number to the lower left.

http://chemkjj.blogspot.ro/2015/06/c1-12-proton-number-mass-number-ions.html

You will have

#""_(color(white)(a)6)^14"C" -># carbon-14

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