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Consider the fourth period elements Ca, Mn, Co, Se, and Kr. Which of these atoms are paramagnetic?

1) Ca
2) Mn
3) Co
4) Se
5) Kr

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Ca, Se, and Kr are diamagnetic, while Mn and Co are paramagnetic.

Step-by-step explanation:

Paramagnetic atoms are those with unpaired electrons, which are attracted to a magnetic field. To determine which of the given elements are paramagnetic, we need to determine the number of unpaired electrons in their electron configurations.

Ca: The electron configuration of Ca is [Ar]4s². All the electrons in the 4s subshell are paired, so Ca is diamagnetic.

Mn: The electron configuration of Mn is [Ar]4s²3d⁵. There are five unpaired electrons in the 3d subshell, so Mn is paramagnetic.

Co: The electron configuration of Co is [Ar]4s²3d⁷. There are three unpaired electrons in the 3d subshell, so Co is paramagnetic.

Se: The electron configuration of Se is [Ar]4s²3d¹⁰4p⁴. All the electrons in the 4s, 3d, and 4p subshells are paired, so Se is diamagnetic.

Kr: The electron configuration of Kr is [Kr]5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶. All the electrons in the 5s, 4d, and 5p subshells are paired, so Kr is diamagnetic.

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