Multiple Choice
Which of the following ions will be attracted to a magnetic field?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism
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Which of the following species is paramagnetic?
A
H2O
B
N2
C
O2
D
CO2
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a species is paramagnetic if it has one or more unpaired electrons in its molecular or atomic orbitals, which causes it to be attracted to a magnetic field.
Consider the electronic configurations and molecular orbital diagrams of each species: H2O, N2, O2, and CO2. Determine the number of electrons and how they fill the molecular orbitals.
For H2O and CO2, note that all electrons are paired in their molecular orbitals, so these molecules are diamagnetic (not paramagnetic).
For N2, the molecular orbital diagram shows all electrons paired, making it diamagnetic as well.
For O2, the molecular orbital diagram reveals two unpaired electrons in the antibonding π* orbitals, which makes O2 paramagnetic.
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