What Element Has 6 Protons, 7 Neutrons, and 6 Electrons?
The number of protons in an atom's nucleus defines its element. Since this atom has 6 protons, it's carbon (C).
Let's break down why:
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Protons: The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus. Carbon's atomic number is 6, meaning it always has 6 protons.
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Neutrons: The number of neutrons can vary within an element, creating different isotopes. This particular atom has 7 neutrons. The most common isotope of carbon, Carbon-12, has 6 neutrons, while this atom with 7 neutrons is Carbon-13 (¹³C). Both are stable isotopes.
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Electrons: In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Since there are 6 protons, there are also 6 electrons. This ensures the atom has a neutral overall charge.
What are Isotopes?
An isotope is a variant of a chemical element which differs in neutron number, and consequently in nucleon number. All isotopes of a given element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
How to Determine an Element from its Subatomic Particles
To identify an element:
- Count the protons: The number of protons is the atomic number and directly determines the element. You can find this number on the periodic table.
- Count the neutrons: The number of neutrons, along with the number of protons, determines the isotope. The mass number (protons + neutrons) is usually written as a superscript before the element symbol (e.g., ¹³C).
- Count the electrons (in a neutral atom): The number of electrons should equal the number of protons. If they don't, the atom carries a charge (ion).
Therefore, an atom with 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons is specifically Carbon-13 (¹³C), a stable isotope of carbon.
