Which of the following pairs of atoms are isotopes of each other?

• A. 6C and 7N
• B. 12C and 14C
• C. 23Na and 24Mg
• D. 16O and 16S

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of isotopes: isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
2. Identify the atomic number (number of protons) for each atom in the pairs given. The atomic number determines the element.
3. Compare the atomic numbers in each pair to see if they are the same. If they differ, the atoms are not isotopes because they are different elements.
4. For the pair 12C and 14C, both have the same atomic number (6 protons) but different mass numbers (12 and 14), indicating different numbers of neutrons, so they are isotopes.
5. For the other pairs, since their atomic numbers differ, they are atoms of different elements and therefore not isotopes.