Question

Most of the carbon atoms in Tyler have 6 neutrons, but about 1% of them have 7 neutrons. These different types of carbon atoms are known as _____ of carbon.

Answer 1

When an atom has a different number of neutrons, it is called an isotope.

Answer 2

The correct answer to the question is Isotope i.e these different types of carbon atoms are known as isotope of carbon.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before going to answer this, first we have to understand an isotope.

An isotope of an atom is defined as the atoms having same atomic number but different mass number.

The mass of number of an atom is the sum total of neutrons and protons.

Hence, mass number A = N + Z

Here, N stands for number of neutrons and Z stands for atomic number which is equal to the number of protons of the atom.

The atomic number of carbon is 6 . Normally it contains 6 number of neutrons. But about 1% of carbon atoms contain 7 number of neutrons which increases the mass number of carbon atom. The carbon atom formed has same number of protons but different mass number.

Hence, it is considered as an isotope of the carbon.