Carbon exists as several isotopes, including carbon-12 (12C^{12}\text{C}12C) and carbon-14 (14C^{14}\text{C}14C).
State one similarity in the atomic structure of a neutral atom of carbon-12 and a neutral atom of carbon-14.
State one difference in the atomic structure of these two isotopes.
Carbon-14 is unstable and undergoes β−\beta^-β− (beta-minus) decay to become nitrogen-14 (14N^{14}\text{N}14N).
State one nuclear property that remains the same during this decay.
State one nuclear property that changes as a result of this decay.
284 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom, covering 5.1.1a Structure of the atom and ions, 5.1.1b Alpha-particle scattering, 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes, 5.1.2b Proton number, nucleon number and nuclide notation, and 5.1.2c Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.