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Q114
(IAS/1997)
Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Periodic table elements
Answer Verified
Which one of the following is paramagnetic in nature ?
Result
Your answer:
—
·
Correct:
C
Explanation
Paramagnetism arises when atoms or molecules possess one or more unpaired electrons and are weakly attracted by a magnetic field [1]. Molecular oxygen (O2) has two unpaired electrons in its molecular orbital configuration, making O2 paramagnetic and attracted to magnets [2]. By contrast, dihydrogen (H2) has all electrons paired and is diamagnetic, not paramagnetic. Molecular nitrogen (N2) involves a triple bond with all electrons paired, so N2 is also diamagnetic [3]. Metallic iron is strongly ferromagnetic (not simply paramagnetic) at room temperature, so among the given choices the correct paramagnetic species is oxygen (option 3).
Sources
- [1] https://personal.eee.strath.ac.uk/barry.williams/Book/Chapter%2032.pdf
- [2] https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/2_p-Block_Elements/Group_16%3A_The_Oxygen_Family_(The_Chalcogens)/Z008_Chemistry_of_Oxygen_(Z8)
- [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.1 BONDING IN CARBON – THE COVALENT BOND > p. 60
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