Why the oxygen molecule is paramagnetic?

According to molecular orbital Theory (MOT), there is 1 unpaired electron in the π2px antibonding orbital and another unpaired electron in π2py antibonding orbital. As molecules containing unpaired electrons are strongly attracted by magnetic field, hence oxygen has paramagnetic nature.

Do paramagnetic atoms have unpaired electrons?

A paramagnetic electron is an unpaired electron. The unpaired electrons of paramagnetic atoms realign in response to external magnetic fields and are therefore attracted. Paramagnets do not retain magnetization in the absence of a magnetic field, because thermal energy randomizes electron spin orientations.

Is oxygen molecule diamagnetic or paramagnetic?

Oxygen is paramagnetic mainly because it consists of two unpaired electrons in its last molecular orbital.

Why oxygen is paramagnetic while nitrogen is diamagnetic?

O₂ is paramagnetic because there are more unpaired electrons and N₂ is diamagnetic​ because there are no unpaired electrons. The number of unpaired electrons in O2 is 2, hence it is paramagnetic.

Why are unpaired electrons paramagnetic?

Due to their spin, unpaired electrons have a magnetic dipole moment and act like tiny magnets. An external magnetic field causes the electrons’ spins to align parallel to the field, causing a net attraction. Paramagnetic materials include aluminium, oxygen, titanium, and iron oxide (FeO).

Is oxygen more paramagnetic than nitrogen?

Nitrogen molecule N2 has not any unpaired electrons. Oxygen is paramagnetic because its ground state is a triplet, meaning 2 unpaired electrons (a diradical).

Does oxygen have unpaired electrons?

Therefore, the ground state of atomic oxygen has two unpaired electrons (bi-radical), and is designated as 3P (“triplet P”) state.

Why oxygen molecule is paramagnetic and nitrogen molecule is diamagnetic?

Why does oxygen have unpaired electrons?

The correct explanation comes from Molecular Orbital theory. The atomic orbitals of the O atoms overlap to form the σ and π orbitals of the O2 molecule as shown in the diagram above. We add the 12 valence electrons according to the Aufbau principle. Thus, oxygen has two unpaired electrons and is paramagnetic.

Does O2 2 have unpaired electrons?

Because the O2 molecule has two unpaired electrons, it is paramagnetic.