Question 12 of 20 :
select the best answer for the question
carbon
12011
12. the image shows information about the element carbon as it appears in the periodic table. based on the image, which statem
a. a carbon atom has six protons, six neutrons, and six electrons
b. a carbon atom has four protons, four neutrons, and four electrons,
c. a carbon atom has three protons, six neutrons, and three electrons
d. a carbon atom has two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons
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A; Carbon’s atomic number is 6, atomic number indicates the amount of protons in an atom. The number of protons (positively charged particles) is equal to the number of electrons (negatively charged particles). Because atoms have a neutral charge. The average atomic mass of carbon is 12.011; this is the amount of protons plus the amount of neutrons because electrons are so small they weigh almost nothing compared to protons and neutrons. To find the number of neutrons you subtract the number of protons from the average atomic mass. 12.011-6=6.011 (which can just be rounded to 6). So a carbon atom has 6 neutrons. Answer A is correct because it correctly states that an atom of carbon has 6 protons 6 neutrons and 6 electrons