Changing Subatomic Particles 2

What happens when the number of electrons in an atom changes?

• Losing electrons creates a positively charged cation.

• Gaining electrons creates a negatively charged anion.

What is the difference between atomic mass and mass number?

• Atomic mass: Weighted average of isotopes (decimal value).

• Mass number: Total number of protons and neutrons (whole number).

How does carbon-12 differ from carbon-13?

Carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons (mass number = 12), while carbon-13 has 6 protons and 7 neutrons (mass number = 13).

What is the atomic mass of carbon, and why is it not a whole number?

Carbon’s atomic mass is 12.011 amu because it reflects the weighted average of isotopes, with carbon-12 being the most abundant.