Chapter 12, Problem 93E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:Among $\text{Li}$ , $\text{N}$ , $\text{Ni}$ , $\text{Te}$ , $\text{Ba}$ and $\text{Hg}$ that are paramagnetic should be identified. Also, number of unpaired electrons in paramagnetic atoms should be determined.

Concept introduction:Paramagnetic atoms are those that consist of unpaired electrons. Paramagnetic substances are those that have net spin that is orbitals are singly filled with electrons.The unpaired electrons in ground state of elements are given by its electronic configuration. The subshells $s$ , $p$ , $d$ and $f$ have different number of orbitals and possess different number of electrons in it. Number of orbitals is expressed by $2l+1$ value. Therefore, number of orbitals for different orbitals is as follows:

  $\begin{array}{ccccc}\text{Orbital}& s& p& d& f\\ \text{Value of }l& 0& 1& 2& 3\\ 2l+1& 1& 3& 5& 7\end{array}$

Each orbital occupies 2 electrons. Therefore, from above table it is clear that $s$ orbital occupies 2 electrons, $p$ orbital occupies 6 electrons, $d$ orbital occupies 10 electrons and $f$ orbital occupies 14 electrons.