Question

How are a carbon atom (C), a carbon isotope (13C), and a carbon ion (C+) different?

(The answer should include the differences in the numbers of subatomic particles, charge, and mass.)

Answer 1

All three are different.
A carbon atom is any atom that can be found with 6 protons in its nucleus.

An isotope is a variation of an atom due to an extra neutron or a lack of neutrons. For example, a typical carbon atom has 8 neutrons in the nucleus. Some carbon atoms, however, have 9 neutrons or 7 neutrons. These are isotopes of carbon.

An ion is also a variation of an atom, but in this case some electrons are removed. A typical carbon atom has 6 electrons. However, when carbon is ionized, it loses electrons and may only have 5 or less electrons.

Answer 2

An isotope will be either heavier or lighter depending on the number of neutrons in the nucleus. The neutrons are changed in an isotope. The charge does not change in an isotope.

An ion will be slightly lighter because the atom is losing electrons. However, electrons have barely any mass. The charge will trend towards a positive charge in a carbon atom.

Answer 3

Ok, that makes sense thank you!

Answer 4

no problem :)