Question

Write the symbol and valency for the following radical:

Silicate

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 chemical reactions.
• A radical is represented by writing its formula and putting charges equal to its valency on the right-hand top.
• For example, Barium radical is represented by ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{2+}$

Radicals are of two types:

Simple radical:

• A simple radical contains only one atom.
• For example, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+},{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-},\mathrm{etc}.$

Compound radical:

• A compound radical that contains atoms of more than one element and behaves as a single unit in chemical reactions.
• For example, Ammonium (${\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4\right)}^{+}$), Nitrate (${\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}^{-}$), etc.

Silicate radical:

• Silicate radical is a compound radical and divalent radical having two units of negative charge.
• Silicate radical is represented by ${{{\mathrm{SiO}}_3}^{2-}}_{}$.
• Valency of Silicate radical is 2 because for radical its valency is equal to its charge.