Is nitrogen paramagnetic or diamagnetic?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether nitrogen, a chemical element, exhibits paramagnetism or diamagnetism. To determine this, we need to consider its electron configuration and the presence of unpaired electrons.
Answer
Nitrogen is paramagnetic.
The final answer is that the nitrogen atom is paramagnetic.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the nitrogen atom is paramagnetic.
More Information
A nitrogen atom has one unpaired electron in the 2p orbital, which makes it paramagnetic. However, molecular nitrogen (N2) is diamagnetic as it has all electrons paired.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the magnetic properties of atomic nitrogen with molecular nitrogen (N2), which is diamagnetic.
Sources
- Is nitrogen diamagnetic or paramagnetic? - Explain - homework.study.com
- What atom is always paramagnetic and why? - chemistry.stackexchange.com