Question

Atomic mass of carbon is:

Answer 1

Hint: Atomic mass of a substance is the sum of atomic number of an element and the number of neutrons in the nucleus of the element. Atomic number is also equal to the number electrons around the nucleus in the element having no charge which is also equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of that element.

Complete step by step solution:
- We know that, atomic number of carbon is 6. So, the number of electrons around the nucleus of a carbon atom is 6 and the number of protons in the nucleus of a carbon atom is also 6. The number of neutrons in the nucleus of the carbon atom is 6. Hence, the sum of the atomic number of carbon and the number of neutrons in the nucleus gives atomic mass of carbon atom
Atomic mass=Atomic number+Number of neutrons.
Atomic mass= 6+6= 12 g per mol.
- Carbon is a non-metal and is tetravalent. It can make four covalent chemical bonds. Carbon belongs to the group 14. It has many isotopes.
- It is the $${15}^{th}$$most abundant element on earth’s crust. Carbon mainly makes up all the living organisms.
- Allotropes of carbon are diamond, graphite and buckminsterfullerene. The physical properties of these allotropes vary with its form.
- Carbon has an oxidation state as +4 as it is tetravalent and can form four covalent bonds. In carbon monoxide and in carbonyl complexes, the oxidation state of carbon is +2.
Hence, the atomic mass of carbon is 12 g/mol.

Note: Atomic mass and atomic number are different. Former is the sum of the number of electrons and the number of neutrons and the latter is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus.