Question

What is the charge of a nucleus and an atom?

Answer 1

Dear student,
The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged, while the neutrons are neutral i.e. they do not carry any charge. Hence, the overall charge on a nucleus is positive.
If the atom :
1) Gains an electron it becomes negatively charged.
2) Loses an electron it becomes positively charged.
3) In the ground state, an atom will have an equal number of protons and electrons, and thus will have a net charge of 0.

Regards!