Section: Chemistry: Section I

3) An atom of carbon-14 contains:

1. 8 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons
2. 6 protons, 6 neutrons, 8 electrons
3. 6 protons, 8 neutrons, 8 electrons
4. 6 protons, 8 neutrons, 6 electrons
5. 8 protons, 10 neutrons, 8 electrons

To be carbon, the atom must contain six protons since the atomic number of carbon is six. The name of carbon-14 tells us that the atoms mass is 14. Therefore there must be 8 neutrons as well as 6 protons. Finally for the atom to be balanced, 6 electrons must exist.