Magnetism and electron configuration

• Electrons in atoms are moving charges.

• produce magnetic field (consider as an example the electric current). Electrons act as tiny magnets.

• Magnetic field mainly produced by spin motion.

• Paired electrons have a total spin of zero, have thus no total magnetic field.

paired unpaired

II/

• diamagnetism - slightly repelled by magnetic field - no unpaired electrons

• paramagnetism - attracted to magnetic field- one or more unpaired electrons

• ferromagentism - case of paramagnetism where the substance retains its

magnetism- Very strongly attracted to magnetic field

II/

Paramagnetism

II/

• Exercise:• Which of the following species do you expect to exhibit

paramagnetism:

K Hg Ba2+ N

F- Ti2+ Cu2+

K: [Ar] 4s1

Ba: [Xe] 6s2 Ba2+: [Xe]

Cu: [Ar] 4s1 3d10 Cu2+: [Ar] 3d9

II/