Question

C\(^ {126}\) and C\(^ {14}\) are:

• A. Isotopes
• B. Isobars
• C. Isomers
• D. Molecules

Hint:

Isotopes of an element have the same chemical properties but different physical properties due to their varying mass numbers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

• Option 1: Isotopes - This is the correct answer. C-12 and C-14 are isotopes of carbon. They have the same number of protons (same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers (12 and 14, respectively). 
• Option 2: Isobars - This is incorrect. Isobars are atoms of different elements with the same mass number. Since both C-12 and C-14 are carbon atoms, they are not isobars.
• Option 3: Isomers - This is incorrect. Isomers refer to molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. C-12 and C-14 are not isomers; they are isotopes.
• Option 4: Molecules - This is incorrect. Molecules are combinations of atoms, and C-12 and C-14 are individual isotopes, not molecules.

Explanation:

C-12 and C-14 are examples of isotopes of carbon. They have the same atomic number (6, which means 6 protons) but different mass numbers, as C-12 has 6 neutrons and C-14 has 8 neutrons. This difference in neutrons makes them isotopes, which are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Answer 2

To classify C-12 and C-14, first pin down their proton and neutron counts, then match that pattern against each term's definition.

1. Isotopes: Both C-12 and C-14 are carbon, so both have 6 protons. C-12 has 6 neutrons (6 + 6 = 12) and C-14 has 8 neutrons (6 + 8 = 14). Same proton count, different neutron count, and therefore different mass number, is exactly the definition of isotopes.
2. Isobars: Isobars are atoms of different elements sharing the same mass number. Here, both atoms are carbon, the same element, and their mass numbers are different (12 and 14), so this term does not fit on either count.
3. Isomers: This term applies to molecules with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms. C-12 and C-14 are single atoms, not molecules, so this term cannot apply here.
4. Molecules: A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together. C-12 and C-14 are each single carbon atoms on their own, not bonded groups, so calling them molecules is incorrect.

Matching proton and neutron counts to each definition shows C-12 and C-14 share protons but differ in neutrons, which is the isotope relationship.

So the correct answer is Isotopes.