In the carbon-14 example, the atom gives off radiation from the nucleus to reach a more stable state. Since one of the neutrons turned into a proton, the atom is now a nitrogen atom. This new configuration of the nucleus – with seven protons and seven neutrons – leaves the atom more stable, but it is no longer a carbon atom. In order to reach a more stable state, carbon-14 releases a negatively charged particle from its nucleus that turns one of the neutrons into a proton. If we wanted to abbreviate the name of an isotope, we’d use the elemental symbol and the mass number, so carbon-14 would be abbreviated C-14.īecause carbon-14 has six protons, it is still carbon, but the two extra neutrons make the nucleus unstable. We call it carbon-14 because the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, also known as the mass number, adds up to 14 (6+8=14). For example, carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon that has six protons and eight neutrons in its nucleus. We call forms of elements that have a different number of neutrons, isotopes. Every carbon atom has six protons, and the majority of carbon atoms have six neutrons.Ī carbon-12 atom has 6 protons (6P) and 6 neutrons (6N).īut some types of carbon have more than six neutrons. Think of the carbon atom mentioned above. To see an example of how this process works, look below: This process is known as radioactive decay. After an atom expels energy from the nucleus, the composition of the nucleus changes, and we are left with a different element that is more stable.This process is known as radioactivity, the unstable atom is said to be a radioactive atom, and the energy that’s released is radiation.Isotopes are forms of elements that have a different number of neutrons.Ītoms seek to be stable so, to get to a more stable state, the atom expels energy from the nucleus in the form of a particle or ray. But some atoms have an unstable combination blend of protons and neutrons. Most atoms are stable, meaning they have a good balance of neutrons and protons. If you were able to add another proton to the carbon nucleus, you wouldn’t have a carbon atom anymore: you’d have a nitrogen atom instead.
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