CM8001

The two ways which one carbon atom can differ from another are:

1) Number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom
2) Atomic mass of the atom

The 3 ways in which all carbon atoms differ from all uranium atoms:

1) Atomic mass. Carbon’s atomic mass is 12.01, while uranium’s atomic mass is 238.03
2) Half lives.
3) Number of protons, neutrons and electrons.

The numbers beside the two ‘N’s indicates the atomic mass of 2 different Nitrogen atoms. Not all nitrogen atoms have the same atomic mass, which results in these 2 nitrogen atoms having different numbers to represent them. The term, isotope, is used to describe the different variety of atoms of the same element.

In addition, since the atomic mass are different, their nuclear reaction and properties would be different as well. Hence, these 2 representations are important as it is a way to distinguish the different isotopes of the same element.

a) 94
b) Neptunium and Plutonium
c) 86

A – Control rod assembly
B – Cooling water out of the core
C – Control rods
D – Cooling water into core
E – Fuel rods