radikals

Radikals is a term that can refer to different things depending on the context. It is not a single organization or concept, but appears in science, language, and culture as a plural form related to the idea of radicality. In chemistry, a radical (or radical species) is an atom, molecule, or ion that contains one or more unpaired electrons. Radicals are usually highly reactive and short-lived, and they participate in many chemical processes, including polymerization, combustion, and atmospheric chemistry. The plural "radicals" is standard in English; "radikals" may appear in non-English texts as a direct translation or, occasionally, as a proper name in certain contexts, but it is not the conventional English form.

Outside of strict chemical terminology, "radikals" might be used in language or culture as a label for groups described as radical or reformist, though this usage is informal and context-specific. In media and fiction, "Radikals" can also serve as a proper noun for a band, faction, or brand, but there is no widely recognized entity by this exact spelling in major reference sources.

Because the term lacks a single universally accepted meaning, its interpretation relies on accompanying context such as field, language, or medium. See also: Radical (disambiguation), Radicals in chemistry, Radicalism.