Question

Palladium (Pd; Z 46) is diamagnetic. Draw partial orbital diagrams to show which of the following electron configurations is consistent with this fact:
(a) [Kr] 5s²4d⁸
(b) [Kr] 4d¹⁰
(c) [Kr] 5s¹4d⁹

Answer 1

Answer : The electron configurations consistent with this fact is, (b) [Kr] 4d¹⁰  

Explanation :

Electronic configuration : It is defined as the representation of electrons around the nucleus of an atom.

Number of electrons in an atom are determined by the electronic configuration.

Paramagnetic compounds : They have unpaired electrons.

Diamagnetic compounds : They have no unpaired electrons that means all are paired.

The given electron configurations of Palladium are:

(a) [Kr] 5s²4d⁸

In this, there are 2 electrons in 's' orbital and 8 electrons in 'd' orbital. From the partial orbital diagrams we conclude that 's' orbital are paired but 'd' orbital are not paired. So, this configuration shows paramagnetic.

(b) [Kr] 4d¹⁰

In this, there are 10 electrons in 'd' orbital. From the partial orbital diagrams we conclude that electrons in 'd' orbital are paired. So, this configuration shows diamagnetic.

(c) [Kr] 5s¹4d⁹

In this, there are 1 electron in 's' orbital and 9 electrons in 'd' orbital. From the partial orbital diagrams we conclude that 's' orbital and 'd' orbital are not paired. So, this configuration shows paramagnetic.