Question

What do you understand by the term acid radical?

Answer 1

Radical:

• A radical is defined as an atom or a group of atoms that carries a positive or negative charge and behaves as a single unit in the chemical reaction.

For example, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+},{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-},{\mathrm{S}}^{2-}$etc.

Acid radical:

• Most of the inorganic compounds are made up of two oppositely charged parts called radicals.
• The ion formed after the removal of Hydrogen ion (H⁺ ion) from acid is called acid radical.
• Eg: When HCl loses H⁺ ion, it forms Cl⁻ which is an acid radical.
• The negatively charged part is called anion or acid radical or electronegative radical.
• For example, ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-},{\mathrm{S}}^{2-}$etc.