Here's why:

* Atomic Number: The atomic number of an element defines the number of protons in its nucleus. Carbon's atomic number is 6.

* Neutrality: In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charge) is equal to the number of electrons (negative charge).

While the isotope Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons (compared to the 6 neutrons in the more common Carbon-12), the number of electrons remains the same. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons but differ in the number of neutrons.