Question

The two stable isotopes of carbon present in naturally occurring carbon are

• A. \({}^{12}\mathrm{C}\) and \({}^{14}\mathrm{C}\)
• B. \({}^{12}\mathrm{C}\) and \({}^{13}\mathrm{C}\)
• C. \({}^{12}\mathrm{C}\) and \({}^{15}\mathrm{C}\)
• D. \({}^{11}\mathrm{C}\) and \({}^{12}\mathrm{C}\)

Hint:

Carbon has two stable isotopes: \[ {}^{12}\mathrm{C}\quad \text{and} \quad {}^{13}\mathrm{C} \] while \[ {}^{14}\mathrm{C} \] is radioactive and is widely used for determining the age of archaeological samples through radiocarbon dating.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand isotopes.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Carbon has atomic number \[ Z=6 \] and occurs naturally in different isotopic forms.

Step 2: Identify the naturally occurring stable isotopes of carbon.
The naturally occurring stable isotopes of carbon are \[ {}^{12}\mathrm{C} \] and \[ {}^{13}\mathrm{C} \] These isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay and are therefore stable.

Step 3: Analyze the remaining isotopes.
\[ {}^{14}\mathrm{C} \] is radioactive and is used in radiocarbon dating. Hence, it is not a stable isotope.
\[ {}^{11}\mathrm{C} \] and \[ {}^{15}\mathrm{C} \] are also radioactive isotopes and are unstable.
Therefore, they cannot be the correct answer.

Step 4: Final conclusion.
Hence, the two stable isotopes of naturally occurring carbon are \[ \boxed{{}^{12}\mathrm{C}\ \text{and}\ {}^{13}\mathrm{C}} \] Therefore, the correct option is \[ \boxed{(2)} \]