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Classwork Series and Exercises {Chemistry- SS1}: Radicals

Introduction

A radical is a group of atoms which behave as one unit. They do not exist separately outside a
compound. Radicals are divided into two parts namely cations and anions.

1. The cations are the positive radicals and they are known as the metallic radicals.
2. The anions are the negative radicals and they are non-metallic radicals. Some non-metallic
radicals contain more than one atom e.g. tetraoxosulphate (VI) ion (SO42-).

Their oxidation numbers act as valency when combining with metallic radicals to form a
compound.

Common Radicals and Their Oxidation State (Valency)

Names of Cations Symbols Oxidation State Valency

Aluminium ion Al3+ +3 3

2+
Calcium ion Ca +2 2
Copper(II) ion Cu2+ +2 2
Iron(II) ion Fe2+ +2 2
Iron(III) ion Fe3+ +3 3
Magnesium ion Mg2+ +2 2
Potassium ion K+ +1 1
Silver ion Ag+ +1 1
Sodium ion Na+ +1 1
Ammonium ion NH4+ +1 1
Zinc ion Zn2+ +2 2

Names of Anions Symbols Oxidation State Valency

Chloride ion Cl− -1 1
Fluoride ion F− -1 1
Trioxosulphate (IV) ion SO32- -2 2
Trioxocarbonate (IV) ion CO32- -2 2
Hydroxide ion OH− -1 1
Trioxonitrate (V) NO3– -1 1
Tetraoxophosphate (V) ion PO43- -3 3
Tetraoxosulphate (VI) ion SO42- -2 2
Tetraoxomanganate (VII) ion MnO4– -1 1
Trioxochlorate (V) ion ClO3– -1 1

FORMULAE OF COMPOUNDS

The molecules are particles of elements and compounds and they are represented by chemical
formulae.

A chemical formula is the representation of molecules of elements and compounds by symbols.

More importantly, it denotes the number of atoms of each element present in the compound. For
example, the formula for Ferric oxide or Iron [III] oxide is Fe 2O3, which implies that 2 atoms of
Fe and 3 atoms of O are present in an electrically-neutral molecule of the compound.

Molecules of Elements and Atomicity

A molecule of an element may contain one atom or more.

 Molecule of element containing one atom of the element in the molecule is called a monoatomic
molecule. The atomicity is 1. Examples are Helium (He), Neon (Ne), etc.
 Molecule of element containing two atoms of the element in the molecule is called a diatomic
molecule. The atomicity is 2. Examples are Hydrogen (H 2), Oxygen (O2), Nitrogen (N2), Chlorine
(Cl2), etc.
 Molecule of element containing three atoms of the element in the molecule is called a triatomic
molecule. The atomicity is 3. Example is Ozone (O3)

Atomicity is the number of atoms in each molecule of an element.

Molecules of Compounds

When elements combine compounds are formed. To form compounds:

1. A metallic element can combine with a non-metallic element.

2. A non-metallic element can combine with a non-metallic element.

It must be noted that, a metallic element cannot combine with another metallic element but can
be mixed to form alloy.

Compound may be classified as:

 1. Binary Compounds: These compounds contain two elements only. Examples are NaCl, MgCl 2,
Fe2O3, etc
2. Trinary Compounds: These compounds contain three elements only. Trinary compounds are
derived from trinary acid. Examples are HNO3, H2SO4, H3PO4, etc.

How to write a chemical formula

To write a chemical formula, one must know the symbols and valencies of the elements /
radicals.

Example 1: Write the chemical formula for Calcium Tetraoxophosphate (V).

Valency of Calcium (Ca) = 2 ; Valency of Tetraoxophosphate (V) (PO 4) = 3.
Interchanging their valencies and writing as subscripts,
Formula for Calcium Tetraoxophosphate (V) is Ca 3(PO4)2.
Note that 3 calcium ion [Ca2+] and 2 tetraoxophosphate ions [PO43-] are present in an electrically-
neutral molecule of calcium tetraoxophosphate (V) [Ca3(PO4)2].

Example 2: Write the chemical formula for Zinc trioxocarbonate (IV).

Valency of Zinc (Zn) = 2 ; Valency of Trioxocarbonate (IV) (CO 3) = 2.
Interchanging their valencies and simplifying (on dividing by 2),
formula for Zinc carbonate is ZnCO 3.
Note that 1 zinc ion [Zn2+] and 1 carbonate ion [CO32-] are present in an electrically-neutral
molecule of zinc carbonate [ZnCO3].

EXERCISES

Lets see how much you’ve learnt, attach the following answers to the comment below

1. Atomicity of Ozone is _________ (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

2. The major difference between [i] SO 3 and [ii] SO32- is that (a) is a molecule while [ii] is an atom
(b) is a radical while [ii] is a molecule (c) is a molecule while [ii] is a radical (d) is a radical while
[ii] is an atom
3. The atomicity in chlorine gas, Cl2 is (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 2 (d) 1
4. The formula of the compound formed in a reaction between a trivalent metal M and a tetravalent
non-metal X is (a) MX (b) M3X4 (c) M4X3 (d) M3X2
5. Compounds contain two elements only are said to be (a) molecule (b) binary compound (c)
trinary compound (d) mixture

1.
OJO HERITAGE November 4, 2016 at 12:30 pm - Reply
 I LOVE IT .IT WAS AMAZING .WOW

2.
Salawu sunday adebayo February 7, 2017 at 4:50 am - Reply

It was very help thanks alot Mr. Alabi

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