Question

What is the charge of the nucleus of a phosphorus atom, and how do you know?

Answer 1

The phosphorus nucleus contains `15` `"unit positive charges"`. Of course the neutral atom is also associated with 15 electrons, so the net electronic charge of the atom is ZERO.

Explanation:

How do I know this? Well, I have access to a Periodic Table, for one, and it says unequivocally that `Z=15` for the phosphorus atom. `Z` is the number of protons, massive, positively-charged nuclear particles; `Z` is more commonly called the `"atomic number"`, which UNEQUIVOCALLY defines the identity of the element.

`Z=1`, hydrogen; `Z=2`, helium;......................`Z=15`, phosphorus; ...............`Z=26`, iron; etc.