How can a molecule be electrically neutral even when it has an unpaired electron?

A molecule can be electrically neutral even when it contains an unpaired electron because electrical charge is determined by the balance between the total number of protons (positive charge) and the total number of electrons (negative charge) within the atom or molecule, rather than by whether those electrons are paired or unpaired.1

In chemistry, a radical is defined as a molecule containing at least one unpaired electron. While most molecules consist of atoms held together by covalent bonds—where electrons are shared in pairs—radicals often arise from the cleavage of these normal electron-pair bonds. When a bond breaks, it can produce two separate entities, each retaining one electron from the original pair. Because these entities still possess an equal number of protons and electrons, they remain electrically neutral despite the presence of the single, unpaired electron.1

These radicals are typically highly reactive because they seek to complete their electron pairs by reacting with other atoms or molecules.1