Question

Identify a molecule which is paramagnetic in nature.

• A. $N_2$
• B. $H_2$
• C. $O_2$
• D. $H{e}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $O_2$

Species having unpaired electrons are paramagnetic in nature
$O_2:(\sigma 1s{)}^2,({\sigma }^{\ast }1s{)}^2,(\sigma 2s{)}^2,({\sigma }^{\ast }2s{)}^2(\sigma 2p_z{)}^2,(\pi 2px{)}^2=(\pi 2py{)}^2,({\pi }^{\ast }2px{)}^1=({\pi }^{\ast }2py{)}^1$
$O_2$ contains two unpaired electrons in ABMO so paramagnetic in nature.