Half of the first 18 elements have an odd number of electrons, and half have an even number. Show why atoms of these elements aren't half paramagnetic and half diamagnetic.

Question

Valerie Gutierrez

Chemistry

22 November, 17:45

Half of the first 18 elements have an odd number of electrons, and half have an even number. Show why atoms of these elements aren't half paramagnetic and half diamagnetic.

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Donte Peck · Answer 1

Diamagnetism in atom occurs whenever two electrons in an orbital paired equalises with a total spin of 0.

Paramagnetism in atom occurs whenever at least one orbital of an atom has a net spin of electron. That is a paramagnetic electron is just an unpaired electron in the atom.

Here is a twist even if an atom have ten diamagnetic electrons, the presence of at least one paramagnetic electron, makes it to be considered as a paramagnetic atom.

Simply put paramagnetic elements are one that have unpaired electrons, whereas diamagnetic elements do have paired electron.

The atomic orbital and radius increases by gaining electron linearly so even electron numbered atoms are diamagnetic while the odd electron numbered atoms are paramagnetic.

Running through the first 18 elements one can observe that there is an alternative odd number of electrons and an even number proofing that that half of the first 18 elements shows paramagnetism and diamagnetism respectively.