| Isotopes of an element are atoms of the element that have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. Carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes, which are shown here with the isotopes of hydrogen. The isotopes of carbon are carbon-12, which constitutes 98.89 of all carbon atoms and serves as the standard for the atomic mass scale; carbon-13, which is the only magnetic isotope, making it very important for structural studies of compounds containing carbon; and carbon-14, which is produced by cosmic rays bombarding the atmosphere. Carbon-14 is radioactive, with a half-life of 5760 years. The amount of carbon-14 remaining in historical artifacts can be used to estimate their age. |
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