radical
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Re: radical
A radical is an atom or a molecule that has an unpaired valence electron such as fluorine or CH3. Radicals are generally very unstable and can cause harm to the body by denaturing macromolecules.
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Re: radical
Most of our practice problems feature molecules with an even number of total valence electrons so that every electron is paired. But, radicals are different in that there can be a single unpaired electron in special cases. Usually in the real world, a radical is an incomplete molecule that finds an electron quickly to stabilize.
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Re: radical
Radicals are compounds with unpaired electrons (not octet in valence shell). They are highly reactive and unstable, and only exist for a short period of time.
An example would be
formed in the upper atmosphere when a photon hits a water molecule (
)
(Note that the oxygen atom in the
has a total of 2 unbound electron pairs, and the oxygen atom in the products has 1 unbound electron (making it a radical) and 2 unbound electron pairs).
An example would be
(Note that the oxygen atom in the
Re: radical
Radicals have at least one unpaired electron and they have an odd number of valence electrons. Note they're also very reactive
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