Question on Radicals

[Chesca Legaspi 2E]

Are radicals and free radicals the same thing? I've seen both terms used in reference to compounds with unpaired electrons, but I wasn't sure if there was a difference between the two or if they were essentially the same?

[Meredith2E]

That’s a good question, I honestly thought they were the same thing lol... like you can say radical or free radical and mean the same thing but now? Not so sure.

[Kaitlyn Hernandez 3I]

I believe that they are interchangeable, radicals (or free radicals) are atoms with at least one unpaired valence electron.

[VSU_3F]

As others have said, I believe they're the same thing! Free radicals are involved in oxidizing elements, and I feel like an element with an odd number of electrons would want electrons from other substances, so I believe they are interchangeable terms.

[Gicelle Rubin 1E]

As others have said, I believe they're the same thing! Free radicals are involved in oxidizing elements, and I feel like an element with an odd number of electrons would want electrons from other substances, so I believe they are interchangeable terms.

Thanks for the clarification!

[VSU_3F]

You're welcome!! :D

[Karina Grover 1A]

Radicals and free radicals are the same. Both are denoted by one unpaired electron.

[Gian Boco 2G]

yep it seems like it, probably synonymous as long as the specie has one unpaired electron making it unstable and existing only for a short amount of time