[en] The 1p-shell nuclei are reviewed. The M4 excitations in the carbon isotopes are studied as a good example of how transverse electromagnetic form factors may be combined with the results of other scattering reactions to pick apart transition matrix elements. Information on the isospin character of the M4 transitions is obtained from the difference between scattering cross sections for positive and negative pions. The shell model calculations are concluded to be consistent with the excitation energies of candidate M4 transitions in the three carbon isotopes, ¹²C, ¹³C, and ¹⁴C. The model is also found to give a good account of these isotopes' isospin character. The role of meson exchange currents in nuclei is discussed. 22 refs., 8 figs