Final answer:
Out of the listed compounds, Na2O2 and KO2 have unpaired electrons making them paramagnetic oxides, so the number of paramagnetic oxides is two.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked for the number of paramagnetic oxides among the given oxides: Li₂O, CaO, Na2O₂, KO₂, MgO, and K₂O.
Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism whereby certain materials are attracted by an externally applied magnetic field, and form internal, induced magnetic fields in the direction of the applied magnetic field. In contrast to diamagnetic materials, paramagnetic materials do not retain the magnetic properties when the external field is removed. Paramagnetism occurs primarily due to the presence of unpaired electrons which contribute to the magnetic behavior of the material. Therefore, we need to identify the oxides with unpaired electrons.
Among the oxides listed:
- Li₂O, CaO, MgO, and K₂O are all ionic compounds formed from metal cations and oxygen anions without unpaired electrons, thus they exhibit diamagnetism rather than paramagnetism.
- Na2O2 (sodium peroxide) and KO2 (potassium superoxide) contain oxygen in forms that have unpaired electrons, making them paramagnetic.
So, the number of paramagnetic oxides among the given oxides is two: Na2O2 and KO2.