what does unpaired electron mean
plz explain
2007-10-23 07:20:03 · 3 answers · asked by mike m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
An electron that doesn't have a buddy.
For example: hydrogen has one electron, and one proton. Obviously the one electron is all by its lonesome, and so it'll latch onto anything that lets it have a friend - like, say, a chlorine atom, which has 7 electrons.
Electrons like to be in even numbers: 0, 2, or 8. If there's an odd number of electrons (like 5), then obviously you have some number of paired electrons (in the case of 5, you have two pairs), and one left over. And that one left over is what will begin the chemical reaction that lets the atom bond to another.
2007-10-23 07:23:59 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An unpaired electron is more commonly known as a "Free Radical" Usually present in oxidized or combusted materials. Also common as byproducts in chemical catalyst processes such as vinyl, styrene epoxies etc. Also a byproduct of oxidation by ionizing plasma exposure. Even further, it is the byproduct in the electrolysis of various periodic elements.
2007-10-23 07:29:21 · answer #2 · answered by N K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only one electron in a two-electron orbital, that makes it unpaired.
2007-10-23 07:22:57 · answer #3 · answered by Steve C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋