Question

Consider an atom of carbon in which the nucleus contains 6 protons and 7 neutrons. What is its atomic number and atomic mass number?

1) Atomic number = 7; atomic mass number = 13
2) Atomic number = 6; atomic mass number = 13
3) Atomic number = 13; atomic mass number = 6
4) Atomic number = 6; atomic mass number = 7

Answer 1

The atomic number of a carbon atom with 6 protons is 6, and with 7 neutrons, the atomic mass number is 13, making the correct answer option number 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the atomic number and atomic mass number of a carbon atom with 6 protons and 7 neutrons in its nucleus. The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons found in the nucleus of its atoms. Since the carbon atom in question has 6 protons, its atomic number is 6. The atomic mass number, on the other hand, is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Thus, for this carbon atom with 6 protons and 7 neutrons, the atomic mass number is 6 + 7, which equals 13.

The correct answer to the student's question is: Atomic number = 6, Atomic mass number = 13. Therefore, the correct option from the provided choices is number 2.