Which of the following is equivalent to a mole of carbon atoms?

• A. 12.01 grams of carbon atoms
• B. 6.022 × 10^{23} carbon atoms
• C. 1.00 gram of carbon atoms
• D. 3.01 × 10^{23} carbon atoms

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number of entities, which is \$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles (atoms, molecules, etc.).
2. Recognize that one mole of carbon atoms specifically means \$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ carbon atoms.
3. Recall that the molar mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 grams per mole, meaning one mole of carbon atoms weighs about 12.01 grams.
4. Compare the given options: 12.01 grams of carbon atoms corresponds to one mole because it matches the molar mass, and \$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ carbon atoms is the number of atoms in one mole.
5. Conclude that both 12.01 grams of carbon atoms and \$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ carbon atoms are equivalent to one mole of carbon atoms, while the other options represent different quantities.