Researchers tested a meteorite for organic molecules containing 13C and 15N, which are carbon and nitrogen atoms with one extra neutron. However, a skeptic questions whether these "heavy" carbon and nitrogen isotopes would readily bond to make organic molecules such as amino acids and nitrogenous bases. Would extra neutrons affect the bonding of heavy carbon and nitrogen atoms?

1. Yes, extra neutrons would make carbon and nitrogen more likely to bond.

2. No, because only electrons are involved in bonding.

3. No, because the number of protons remains the same.

4. Yes. Atoms with extra neutrons must also have extra electrons, which would affect bonding.

The correct option is 2. No, because only electrons are involved in bonding.

Explanation:

The type of bond formed by carbon and nitrogen (carbon-nitrogen bond) is covalent bond

Also known as molecular bond, a covalent bond involves the sharing of pairs of electrons (known as bonding pairs or shared pairs) between the carbon and nitrogen atoms forming stable, balanced forces in attraction and repulsion as they share common electrons in their compounds.

This electron sharing covalent bond is what enables the formation of the several compounds between carbon and nitrogen for example, in an amine, nitrogen which has five electrons, has two remaining electrons that forms a lone pair whereby it can combine further with other elements.

Hence the factor that influences the bonds to make the numerous organic molecules is the available electrons which constitutes the shared electron pairs in covalent bonds while the neutrons which function is to keep the repulsive forces of positively charged protons from ripping the nucleus apart.