The nuclei of carbon atoms that are found in Nature come in two main "varieties" called isotopes (more on this in Chapter 11). The carbon-14 nuclei have a greater mass than the carbon-12 nuclei. The two types of atoms can be separated from each other by ionizing them, accelerating them all to some uniform velocity, and then passing them between the poles of a magnet. Why does this separate the two isotopes? Describe the motion of the two ion types after passing out of the magnetic field. What would happen if all the atoms did not have the same speed?

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10 January, 16:59

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Elisa Finley · Answer 1

they would not split from the nuclei if they were not going the same speed