Chem Gurus...Half of the first 18 elements have an odd number of electrons and half have an even number...?

Question

Show why these elements aren't half parameanetic and half diamagnetic.

Answer 1

Hi,

You have a valid question. But, para and diamagnetism isn't just decided by the number of electrons. You have to have a closer look at the electronic configurations of the atoms. When an atom has an electronic configuration where there are no unpaired electrons, the atom becomes diamagnetic; otherwise, the atom is paramagnetic.

Carbon having an atomic number six, is not diamagnetic, but paramagnetic. The reason being the modified electronic configuration in which there are 4 unpaired electrons.

For more information read Hund's rule of maximum multiplicity.

Thanks.