225k views
2 votes
How many unpaired electrons are present in each of the following in the ground state?

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

A Be₂²- ion has no unpaired electrons and is diamagnetic, meaning it is not attracted to a magnetic field.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the presence of unpaired electrons in a Be₂²- ion and whether it would be paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Beryllium normally has two electrons in the 2s orbital in its ground state, all of which are paired. When it becomes a Be₂²- ion, it gains two additional electrons, which would fill the 2s orbital, resulting in all electrons being paired.

Consequently, a Be₂²- ion would have no unpaired electrons and would therefore be diamagnetic, which means that it is not attracted to a magnetic field. Diamagnetic materials are characterized by having all of their electrons paired and therefore have no net magnetic moment.

User Ballenf
by
7.9k points