Question

Is ammonium ion a radical?

Answer 1

Ammonia is a compound that can be formed by the combination of one nitrogen atom, and three hydrogen atoms. In ammonia, nitrogen consists of a lone pair of electrons and can abstract a proton. Due to the basic character, it abstracts a proton and forms an ammonium ion bearing a positive charge known as cation.

Complete answer:
Chemical compounds are classified into bases, acids, and neutral compounds depending upon the nature. Bases can abstract a proton or contain a hydroxide ion.
Ammonia is a base with the molecular formula of $N{H_3}$ , consisting of one nitrogen atom, and three hydrogen atoms. Nitrogen is the central metal atom in ammonia and consists of one lone pair of electrons.
Due to the basic character of ammonia, it can abstract a proton from compounds like water and can form a compound known as ammonium ion. The molecular formula of ammonium ions is $N{H_4}^ +$ . As ammonium ions bear the positive charge, it is known as cation.
Radicals are the compounds that contain an odd electron which means one electron. In presence of light energy radicals can be formed by homolytic cleavage.
As ammonium ions do not consist of a single electron, but consist of positive charge it is known as cation.
Thus, ammonium ion is not a radical.

Note:
Homolytic cleavage means, when there is a bond breaking in presence of light the bond breaks and undergoes an equal distribution of electrons between two atoms. This equal distribution of electrons leads to the formation of radicals.