Question

Dioxygen molecule contains two unpaired electrons in
π* 2p x and π * 2p y molecular orbitals,
therefore, it should be
a) paramagnetic
b) dimagnetic
c) ferromagnetic
d) ferrimagnetic

Answer 1

Answer:

The reason that it is paramagnetic is because the oxygen molecule has two unpaired electrons. Electrons not only go around the atom in their orbitals, they also spin, which creates a magnetic field. The reason that it is paramagnetic is because the oxygen molecule has two unpaired electrons.

The last two electrons go into separate, degenerate π orbitals, according to Hund's Rule. Thus, oxygen has two unpaired electrons and is paramagnetic

Option a is a correct answer