What is the overall charge of the nucleus?

The overall charge of the nucleus is positive, as it is made up of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons. Protons have a charge of +1, while neutrons have no charge. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the overall atomic number of an atom, while the number of protons and neutrons combined determines the overall mass number. The positive charge of the nucleus is balanced by the negatively charged electrons that orbit the nucleus in the electron cloud, resulting in a neutral overall charge for the atom.