What are the number of types of atom in the element carbon?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 16, 2017

There are about 2-3 relevant isotopes.

Explanation:

Most carbon chemistry is concerned with the #""^12C# isotope. This is approx. 98.9% abundant. Of course, for carbon, #Z=6#, and this means that the nucleus contains 6 neutrons, 6 neutral, massive particles.

Approx. 1% of carbon atoms are the #""^13C# isotope. The nucleus is amenable to #""^13C# #"NMR spectroscopy"#, and as such is a very important means of characterization for organic chemistry.

There is a vanishingly small percentage of #""^14C#, and this has a use in radiocarbon dating.

How many neutrons are present in the nuclei of each individual isotope?

Related questions
See all questions in Elements
Impact of this question
3462 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License