The element carbon has the atomic number of 6. How many protons does Carbon contain?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The element carbon contains 6 protons.
The atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. Since carbon has an atomic number of 6, it means every carbon atom has exactly 6 protons. Protons are positively charged particles located inside the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons defines the identity of the element. For example, any atom with 6 protons is carbon, regardless of the number of neutrons or electrons.
The number of protons is crucial because it determines the chemical properties of the element. It also balances the number of electrons in a neutral atom. For carbon, having 6 protons means it will have 6 electrons orbiting the nucleus in a neutral state. Electrons are negatively charged and involved in chemical bonding and reactions.
Neutrons are neutral particles also found in the nucleus, and their number can vary in carbon atoms, creating different isotopes. The most common isotope of carbon has 6 neutrons, making its atomic mass approximately 12 atomic mass units (6 protons + 6 neutrons). Another isotope, carbon-14, has 8 neutrons, which is important in radiocarbon dating.
In summary, the atomic number directly tells the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Carbon’s atomic number is 6, so it contains 6 protons. This fundamental property distinguishes carbon from other elements and influences its chemical behavior and bonding characteristics.