Question

How many, and what type of nuclear particles occur in `""^12C`, `""^13C`, and `""^14C`?

Answer 1

Well, their nuclei all contain 6 protons........

Explanation:

Well, their nuclei all contain 6 protons, massive, positively charged nuclear particles. The standard `""^12C` isotope also contains 6 neutrons, 6 massive, neutrally charged nuclear particles. A smaller percentage contains 7 neutrons, to give the `""^13C` isotope, which is a very important isotope for NMR experiments, and an even smaller percentage contains 8 neutrons to give `""^14C`.

That each isotope each contains 6 protons, defines the identity of the nuclide as carbon.