Which of the following best describes the magnetic properties of elemental boron?

• A. Boron is diamagnetic because all its electrons are paired.
• B. Boron is ferromagnetic due to strong magnetic ordering.
• C. Boron is paramagnetic because it has unpaired electrons.
• D. Boron is nonmagnetic and does not respond to magnetic fields.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of magnetic properties in elements: materials can be diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, or nonmagnetic based on the presence and arrangement of unpaired electrons.
2. Recall that diamagnetic substances have all electrons paired, resulting in no net magnetic moment and a weak repulsion from magnetic fields.
3. Recognize that paramagnetic substances have one or more unpaired electrons, which create a net magnetic moment and cause attraction to magnetic fields.
4. Know that ferromagnetic materials exhibit strong magnetic ordering due to aligned unpaired electrons, leading to permanent magnetism, which is rare in non-transition elements like boron.
5. Analyze the electronic configuration of elemental boron to determine if it has unpaired electrons; since boron has unpaired electrons, it is paramagnetic, meaning it is attracted to magnetic fields but does not retain magnetization like ferromagnetic materials.