TPR Science Workbook question

[ManOfDiligence]

This confused me. Lithium and Sodium have 3 and 11 electrons, respectively. Wouldn't the reduction of any of the ions (making it 4 and 12 respectively) change the species from a paramagnetic to a diamagnetic species? Am I missing something here?

Thank you in advance.

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[ipmed]

Paramagnetic = unfilled orbital (not unfilled valence shell)
Diamagnetic = filled orbital ( not filled valence shell)
Na= Nesp1 = 1e + 1e = two orbitals filled with valence shell filled =paramagnetic
Sr=Krsp2 = 1e + 1e = two orbitals filled + add another electron = 4S orbital filled with 1e- = paramagnetic

 

[inasensegone]

View attachment 178942

This confused me. Lithium and Sodium have 3 and 11 electrons, respectively. Wouldn't the reduction of any of the ions (making it 4 and 12 respectively) change the species from a paramagnetic to a diamagnetic species? Am I missing something here?

Thank you in advance.

Paramagnetic = unfilled orbital (not unfilled valence shell)
Diamagnetic = filled orbital ( not filled valence shell)
Na= Nesp1 = 1e + 1e = two orbitals filled with valence shell filled =paramagnetic
Sr=Krsp2 = 1e + 1e = two orbitals filled + add another electron = 4S orbital filled with 1e- = paramagnetic

Since ipmed's explanation didn't immediately make sense to me... I thought I would throw in my 2 cent explanation here:

Diamagnetic basically refers to a species that has all of its electrons spin-paired. Paramagnetic would mean that at least one electron isn't spin-paired.

The questions asks, "Reduction of any of the ions in Table 1...." The key word is ions. Sodium ion is missing an electron. Sodium ion then has the same electronic configuration as Neon, that is, all of its electrons are spin paired and it is thus diamagnetic. If Sodium ion is reduced, it gains an electron and becomes paramagnetic.

Basically, Sodium metal is paramagnetic as it appears on the periodic table, but the question tells you that you are dealing with the ion and therefore it has lost that electron, so if you reduce it, you basically give it the electron back.

The same concept can be applied to Lithium, or any of the other Alkali metals for that matter.

 

[ManOfDiligence]

Since ipmed's explanation didn't immediately make sense to me... I thought I would throw in my 2 cent explanation here:

Diamagnetic basically refers to a species that has all of its electrons spin-paired. Paramagnetic would mean that at least one electron isn't spin-paired.

The questions asks, "Reduction of any of the ions in Table 1...." The key word is ions. Sodium ion is missing an electron. Sodium ion then has the same electronic configuration as Neon, that is, all of its electrons are spin paired and it is thus diamagnetic. If Sodium ion is reduced, it gains an electron and becomes paramagnetic.

Basically, Sodium metal is paramagnetic as it appears on the periodic table, but the question tells you that you are dealing with the ion and therefore it has lost that electron, so if you reduce it, you basically give it the electron back.

The same concept can be applied to Lithium, or any of the other Alkali metals for that matter.

Makes perfect sense! I appreciate this explanation. Shows the importance of paying attention to EXACTLY what the question is asking. Again, thank you.

 

[inasensegone]

Makes perfect sense! I appreciate this explanation. Shows the importance of paying attention to EXACTLY what the question is asking. Again, thank you.

No problem! Glad to help. Also, and I'm sure this was just a mistake, but this thread should be in the MCAT Q&A section 😉

 

[ManOfDiligence]

No problem! Glad to help. Also, and I'm sure this was just a mistake, but this thread should be in the MCAT Q&A section 😉

Definitely posted this in the wrong place. My apologies.