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.