1. What is Nuclear Charge?

Nuclear charge is the total positive charge of an atomic nucleus, determined by the number of protons (Z) multiplied by the elementary charge (e). It's a fundamental property that determines an atom's interactions with electrons and other atoms.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the nuclear charge equation:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Atomic number (number of protons)
• \( e \) — Elementary charge (1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ C)

Explanation: The nuclear charge equals the number of protons multiplied by the charge of each proton (which is equal in magnitude to the elementary charge).

3. Importance of Nuclear Charge

Details: Nuclear charge determines many atomic properties including atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity. It's fundamental to understanding chemical bonding and periodic trends.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the atomic number (Z) of the element and the elementary charge value (default is set to the standard value). The calculator will compute the total nuclear charge in coulombs.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the elementary charge?
A: The elementary charge (e) is the electric charge carried by a single proton or the magnitude of charge of a single electron (1.602176634×10⁻¹⁹ coulombs).

Q2: Why is nuclear charge important?
A: It determines an atom's ability to attract and hold electrons, influencing chemical reactivity and bonding behavior.

Q3: How does nuclear charge relate to effective nuclear charge?
A: Effective nuclear charge accounts for electron shielding, while nuclear charge is the total positive charge without considering electron effects.

Q4: Does nuclear charge change in isotopes?
A: No, isotopes have the same nuclear charge (same Z) but different masses (different neutron numbers).

Q5: Can nuclear charge be negative?
A: No, nuclear charge is always positive as it comes from protons. The negative charge in atoms comes from electrons.