What are the number of types of atom in the element carbon?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 16, 2017

There are about 2-3 relevant isotopes.

Explanation:

Most carbon chemistry is concerned with the #""^12C# isotope. This is approx. 98.9% abundant. Of course, for carbon, #Z=6#, and this means that the nucleus contains 6 neutrons, 6 neutral, massive particles.

Approx. 1% of carbon atoms are the #""^13C# isotope. The nucleus is amenable to #""^13C# #"NMR spectroscopy"#, and as such is a very important means of characterization for organic chemistry.

There is a vanishingly small percentage of #""^14C#, and this has a use in radiocarbon dating.

How many neutrons are present in the nuclei of each individual isotope?

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