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Ch.2 - Atoms & Elements
Chapter 2, Problem 55

Determine the number of protons and the number of neutrons in carbon-14 and write its symbol in the form AZX, considering that the amount of carbon-14 in ancient artifacts and fossils is often used to establish their age.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number (Z) of carbon, which is the number of protons. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so it has 6 protons.
Determine the mass number (A) of carbon-14. The mass number is given as 14.
Calculate the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic number (Z) from the mass number (A): Neutrons = A - Z = 14 - 6.
Write the symbol for carbon-14 in the form A^ZX, where A is the mass number, Z is the atomic number, and X is the element symbol. For carbon-14, it is written as 14^6C.
Understand that carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon used in radiocarbon dating to determine the age of ancient artifacts and fossils.