Question

What is the isotopic notation for Carbon $ - 14?$

Answer 1

Hint : Carbon \[\left( C \right)\] is the sixth element in the periodic table$.$ It has a wide range of isotopes. Carbon $ - 14$ has the longest half-life among them $.$ Isotopes are atoms of the same element differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus and therefore they occupy the same position in the periodic table $.$

Complete Step By Step Answer:
An isotope is a species of atom of an element that has the same atomic number but differ in the mass number $.$ Since these are species of the same element $,$ they occupy the same position in the periodic table $.$
Atomic number $(Z)$ of an element is given by the number of protons in its nucleus $.$ In a neutral uncharged species $,$ the number of protons will be equal to the number of electrons $($to maintain electrical neutrality$)$ $.$ Then it would not be wrong to say that the atomic number is the number of electrons in the species $.$
Mass number $(A)$ of an element is given by the number of nucleons in the atom.
Number of nucleons $ = $ Number of protons $ + $number of neutrons in the nucleus.
As we know, isotopes have same atomic number $,$ they have the same number of protons $.$ They differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus $.$
While expressing the isotopic notation $,$ the chemical symbol of element $(X)$ will be written and then the mass number $(A)$ will be denoted as superscript at left side of the atomic symbol and the atomic number $(Z)$ as subscript on its left side $.$ ${}_Z^AX$
Here, C is the element with $14$ as its mass number and $6$as its atomic number
$14$ $ = $ Number of protons $ + $ number of neutrons
Number of protons $ = $ $Z$ $ = $$6$
Therefore $,$ number of neutrons $ = $$8$
Isotopic notation is $,$ ${}_6^{14}C$$.$

Note :
$(i)$ Isotopic notations also get referred to as nuclear notations $.$
$(ii)$ Isobars are atoms or species with same mass number $(A)$ $.$ They have the same number of nucleons. Unlike isotopes $,$ these atoms can be of different elements and are placed at different positions in the periodic table $.$