What is a radical? (1 Viewer)

[QZP]

Why does google define a free radical as "an uncharged molecule (typically highly reactive and short-lived) having an unpaired valency electron"
I always associated free radicals with charges :S

 

[someth1ng]

An atom or molecule (can be ions) with unpaired electrons is a free radical - in HSC, it's usually one of the atoms doesn't have a full valence shell (typically an octet).


Free radicals are not necessarily uncharged.

 

[QZP]

I'm more concerned about whether a free radical CAN have zero charge (it was in a physics questions; had I known free radicals could have zero charge than I would have gotten the answer). I can't even come up with a free-radical of zero charge without making it absolutely ridiculous. :S

 

[QZP]

Oh crap what am I on about. They can easily have zero charge. Okay thanks Got it now

 

[someth1ng]

Yeah, just have a chlorine atom with 7 valence electrons...ta da, neutral free radical

 

[aimpacc]

those basterds never gna ask bout charges anyway....u just need to know the basic equations for ozone depletion >_>