What is the charge of the nucleus of an atom?

The nucleus of an atom is positively charged due to the presence of protons. Protons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus, and each proton carries a charge of +1. While the nucleus is also composed of neutrons, which are electrically neutral and do not contribute to the overall charge, the positive charge from the protons dominates. This positive charge is what helps to attract the negatively charged electrons that orbit around the nucleus, balancing the overall charge of the atom and keeping it stable.

In contrast, other possible answers like negative or neutral do not accurately reflect the fundamental properties of atomic structure. A nucleus cannot be negative because there are no negative particles (such as electrons) located within it. Neutral would only describe an entire atom that has an equal number of protons and electrons, but since we're specifically discussing the nucleus, the presence of protons gives it a positive charge. Variability in charge would imply a change in the composition, leading to ions, but again, within a stable atom context, the nucleus remains positively charged.