Question

What are `""^12C`, and `""^14C`?

Answer 1

You have 2 isotopes of carbon: `""^12C`; and `""^14C`. Each isotope has 6 protons in its nuclei (this is what makes a CARBON) isotope.

Explanation:

In the nuclei of `""^12C` and `""^14C`, there are respectively `6` and `8` neutrons, neutrally charged, massive nuclear particles (the combined mass of the protons and the neutrons gives the isotope number). (Note that I don't have to write `""_6C` because the `C` symbol specifies the atomic number, `Z=6`).

The chemistry of an element, any element, is a property of electronic structure. Each carbon isotope has 6 electrons: 2 inner core; and 4 valence electrons. And thus the chemistry of each isotope should be the same to a first approximation.