Carbon- 14 Is Often Used for Carbon Dating, Where Scientists

Carbon- 14 is often used for carbon dating, where scientists measure the rate of carbon- 14 decay to determine the age of items. Carbon- 14 contains six protons and eight neutrons. During the process of carbon- 14 decay, one of its eight neutrons becomes a proton and an electron is emitted. Which of the following is the best explanation of what has occurred?

A) The resulting atom is still carbon- 14.
B) An ionic bond has formed.
C) The resulting atom is now a different element because the number of protons has changed.
D) The resulting atom has a more stable nucleus.