Question

Is magnesium oxide magnetic?

Answer 1

1. Generally, a compound shows the magnetic character if it consists of one or more unpaired electrons.
2. In the case of magnesium oxide, which has the molecular formula $\mathbf{MgO}\mathbf{}$, magnesium is in an $\mathbf{+}\mathbf{2}\mathbf{}$oxidation state.
3. The electronic configuration of ${\mathbf{Mg}}^{\mathbf{2}\mathbf{+}}\mathbf{}\mathbf{is}\mathbf{}\mathbf{1}{\mathbf{s}}^{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{}\mathbf{2}{\mathbf{s}}^{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{}\mathbf{2}{\mathbf{p}}^{\mathbf{6}}$ . From the electronic configuration, it is clear that there is no unpaired electron in the $\mathbf{MgO}\mathbf{}$molecule.
4. But according to the hysteresis curve magnesium oxide follows ferromagnetism (also called defect magnetism).
5. Due to vacancies and the activation of trapped spin in the triplet state, magnetic polarization develops in magnesium oxide.
6. Magnetism in such a compound arises due to polarization induced by the p-orbital.

Hence, magnesium oxide is magnetic.