Para and Diamag BC question

[emminent]

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Which of the following would be strongly attracted to magnetic fields?

• A. He
• B. H2
• C. Zn
• D. O2
• E. N2

I understand why He and Zn are diamagnetic but I'm confused with the diatomics. Do we include both atoms in the diatomic when considering if they're paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

 

[FancyFloss]

Well all of these atoms/molecules fulfill the octet rule.

• He has a filled s shell - no unpaired e- so no magnetic attraction
• H2 also has a filled s shell.
• Zn has a filled outer shell.
• O2 fulfills the octet rule by having a double bond ::O=O:: But is the exception and therefor paramagnetic.
• N2 also fulfills the octet rule by having a triple bond with 1 lone pair on each N

So none of the answers are diamagnetic IMO. This seems like a terrible question. However if they are asking about the atoms when they dissociate from each other, N2 would be the answer since it has 3 unpaired e- in its outer shell making it the most attracted to a magnetic field.

IF ANYONE SEES AN ERROR WITH MY ANSWER PLEASE CORRECT ME AND I'LL EDIT THIS POST.

EDIT: O2 is the exception to this rule and is paramagnetic.

 

[virajpatel]

O2 is para

 

[emminent]

Well all of these atoms/molecules fulfill the octet rule.

• He has a filled s shell - no unpaired e- so no magnetic attraction
• H2 also has a filled s shell.
• Zn has a filled outer shell.
• O2 fulfills the octet rule by having a double bond ::O=O:: But is the exception and therefor paramagnetic.
• N2 also fulfills the octet rule by having a triple bond with 1 lone pair on each N

So none of the answers are diamagnetic IMO. This seems like a terrible question. However if they are asking about the atoms when they dissociate from each other, N2 would be the answer since it has 3 unpaired e- in its outer shell making it the most attracted to a magnetic field.

IF ANYONE SEES AN ERROR WITH MY ANSWER PLEASE CORRECT ME AND I'LL EDIT THIS POST.

EDIT: O2 is the exception to this rule and is paramagnetic.

O2 is para

Thanks for the explanation but still don't get why O2 is para if it's octet is filled :\
Is there a reason why it's an exception or is it just something I should accept for the heck of this test lol

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

Thanks for the explanation but still don't get why O2 is para if it's octet is filled :\
Is there a reason why it's an exception or is it just something I should accept for the heck of this test lol

Its MO theory. Hybrid orbitals

Boron and Oxygen are para magnetic. All other diatomic elements are diamagnetic

 

[emminent]

Its MO theory. Hybrid orbitals

Boron and Oxygen are para magnetic. All other diatomic elements are diamagnetic

I think I'll just accept the fact that boron and oxygen are para