The atomic number of carbon is six, which means that a carbon atom has six protons Carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes carbon-12,

carbon-13, and carbon-14. Which of these statements are true about carbon and its isotopes? Select all that apply

A

All carbon atoms have six neutrons.

B. All carbon atoms have six protons and six electrons.

C

Atoms of all carbon isotopes have either more than 6 electrons or fewer than 6 electrons.

D. Atoms of some naturally occurring carbon isotopes may have six neutrons.

E

Atoms of some naturally occurring carbon isotopes may have twelve neutrons.

B & D

Explanation:

What differs between the isotopes of an element is the mass number (which is the number indicated after the name of the element e. g carbon-14). The mass number is the sum of neutrons and protons in the nucleus of the atom. The proton number of an element does not change without changing the element. Usually the proton number is equal to the electron number in a neutral atom of an element. However, the neutron number of an element does change (in most cases) within a slight range giving rise to different isotopes of the element.

Therefore in our case, Carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons & Carbon-12 has 6 neutrons and 6 protons.