Radical

A radical is an atom of an element or a group of atoms of different elements that behave as a single unit with a positive or negative charge on it.

Positively charged radicals are called basic radicals such as Na+, NH4+ etc.

Negatively charged radicals are called acid radicals such as NO3-, Cl-, etc.

Basic radicals are also known as cations and acid radicals are known as anions.

Radicals are categorised as monovalent, bivalent, trivalent, etc.

Access All Content

Video Explanations, Practice Worksheets and Solved Examples for all Chapters.
Textbook solutions, Formulae and Mindmaps across all boards.

More from Grade 7 Chemistry

Valency

Combining, reacting, exploding and much more. Learn what all elements can do with their atoms!

Radical

Learn about the element twins, radicals, and how they react!

Chemical Formula

Chemical Formula is the language of Chemistry. Learn how to write the chemical formula of a compound from valencies of the elements using the criss-cross method.