In the isotope name carbon-14, what does the number 14 represent?

• A. The number of electrons in the atom
• B. The mass number of the isotope
• C. The number of neutrons in the nucleus
• D. The atomic number of the element

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
2. Recall that the atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom and defines the element.
3. Know that the mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
4. In the isotope name carbon-14, the number 14 refers to the mass number, which is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
5. Therefore, the number 14 does not represent the number of electrons, neutrons alone, or the atomic number, but the total mass number of the isotope.