Question

Which of these are paramagnetic in their ground state? (a) Ga (b) Si (c) Be (d) Te

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Ga (b) Si (d) Te

Explanation:

Paramagnetic are those which has unpaired electrons and diamagnetic are those in which all electrons are paired.

(a) Ga

The electronic configuration is -  

$1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^63d^{10}4s^24p^1$

The electrons in 4p orbital = 1 (Unpaired)

Thus, the element is paramagnetic as the electrons are unpaired.

(b) Si

The electronic configuration is -  

$1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^2$

The electrons in 3p orbital = 2 (Unpaired)

Thus, the element is paramagnetic as the electrons are unpaired.

(c) Be

The electronic configuration is -  

$1s^22s^2$

The electrons in 2s orbital = 2 (paired)

Thus, the element is diamagnetic as the electrons are paired.

(d) Te

The electronic configuration is -  

$1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^63d^{10}4s^24p^64d^{10}5s^25p^4$

The electrons in 5p orbital = 4 (1 pair and 2 Unpaired)

Thus, the element is paramagnetic as the electrons are unpaired.