Question

Nuclear charge of an atom is the negative charge on the nucleus of an atom.
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: Understand what is inside the nucleus of an atom. Also look for the charges that the particles inside the nucleus bear. Whatever net charge the particles inside the nucleus would have, the same charge will be on the nucleus.

Complete answer:To answer this question, you would need to understand what nuclear charge means. Nuclear charge, as the word suggests, is related to the charged particles inside the nucleus.
We must know that the nucleus of an atom is made up of protons and neutrons. Protons are positively charged particles, while the neutrons are electrically neutral particles. So as protons are the only charged particle in the nucleus, the nucleus will have the charge equal to the total charge of all the protons. This positive charge on the nucleus, which is nothing but the total charge of all the protons present inside it is called a nuclear charge.
Since every proton has one positive charge, the total nuclear charge is equal to the total number of protons in an atom. The total number of protons in an atom is called its atomic number, hence the nuclear charge has the same value as atomic number does. If you have studied the periodic table, the elements are arranged in the order of increasing atomic number. Hence you will also find the nuclear charge to increase as you go along the periodic table.
So, since the nuclear charge is because of protons, it is a positive charge,and hence the above statement is false.

Thus, the correct option is (B).

Note:Nuclear charge is because of what is inside the nucleus. Protons, being positive in charge and neutrons being electrically neutral, will give a positive charge to the nucleus. The nuclear charge is responsible for holding the electrons because of their opposite charges.