The mass of a neutral carbon atom in ground state is

Options

A. exact `12 u`
B. less than 12 u
C. more than `12 u`
D. depends on the form of carbon such as graphite or charcoal.

Answer

To find the mass of a neutral carbon atom in the ground state, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Atomic Mass Units (u)**:
- One unified atomic mass unit (u) is defined as one twelfth (1/12) of the mass of a neutral carbon-12 (C-12) atom in its ground state.

2. **Mass of Carbon-12 Atom**:
- By definition, the mass of a carbon-12 atom is exactly 12 atomic mass units (12u). This is a standard reference in atomic mass measurements.

3. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the mass of a neutral carbon atom in the ground state is 12u.

### Final Answer:
The mass of a neutral carbon atom in the ground state is **12u**.