Question

Na2O is paramagnetic or diamagnetic

Answer 1

Explanation:

Paramagnetism results from an “odd number of electrons” in the outermost shell. Compounds are said to be diamagnetic when the number of electrons in the outermost shell is even.

$Na_2O$ is diamagnetic because it has an even number of electrons. Na has a total of 11 electrons and 1 electron in the valence shell which is an odd number. Oxygen has 6 electrons in the valence shell. When sodium and oxygen react to form $Na_2O$, sodium loses one electron to become Na+ and oxygen gains two electrons, oxygen changes into an oxide ion.

Therefore, both sodium and oxygen obtain a stable electronic configuration. This means that there is an even number of electrons in their valence shell and strong co-valent bond exists between the two when $Na_2O$ is formed. This is why $Na_2O$ is diamagnetic.