Answer:
a) The similarities in their structure are;
1) The two isotopes have the same number of protons in their nucleus
2) The two isotopes have the same number of electrons in their orbit
3)The basic chemical properties of the two isotopes are the same
b) The differences in their structure are;
1) The number of neutrons in their nucleus are different
6 for carbon 12 and 8 for carbon 14
2) The structure of carbon 12 is stable while the structure of carbon 14 disintegrates
3) The isotopes have different densities, therefore, different packing
Explanation:
The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
The mass number is the sum or total number of protons and neutrons in an atom
Given that the atomic number of all carbon atoms = 6
The number of protons in all carbon atoms = 6
Given that some of the carbon atoms have a mass number of 12 while others have a mass number 14, we have
Therefore, the number of neutrons in some of the carbon atoms = 12 - 6 = 6
The number of neutrons in the remaining of carbon atoms = 14 - 6 = 8
Therefore the carbon atom has two isotopes including ¹²₆C and ¹⁴₆C.
