2. describe how carbon-12 and carbon-14 are different.

carbon-12 and carbon-14 are differed by the neutrons count in their atoms.

Explanation:

The two isotopes of the carbon element are carbon-12 and 14 . The difference between them is the neutrons count in each of their atoms. This is how it works. The digit after the atom's name represents the protons and neutrons count in the atom or ion. The atoms of both carbon isotopes have 6 protons. carbon-12 atoms comprise with 6 neutrons, whereas 8 neutrons in carbon-14.

A neutral atom usually have the same counts of electron and proton, so that a neutral carbon-12 or 14 atom have 6 electrons. Although neutrons do not possess any electric charge, their mass is similar to that of protons, so different isotopes consist different atomic masses. Carbon-12 seems to be more lighter when compared with carbon-14.