Final answer:
Calcium (Ca) is paramagnetic due to unpaired valence electrons, while Zinc (Zn) is diamagnetic because it has no unpaired electrons in its completely filled d-orbital after forming Zn2+.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine whether a species is paramagnetic or diamagnetic, you should follow a general process which involves drawing the valence orbitals, looking for unpaired electrons, and then assessing the magnetic properties. Both Ca and Zn are elements that could potentially be paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
When considering calcium (Ca), it has two valence electrons, and because it does not lose all of its valence electrons under normal circumstances, it usually retains unpaired electrons making it paramagnetic. Zinc (Zn), on the other hand, tends to lose all of its valence electrons to form Zn2+, resulting in a completely filled d-orbital. Therefore, Zn atoms do not have unpaired electrons and are considered diamagnetic, which means they will not be attracted to a magnet.