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Question

The number of unpaired electrons in O2 molecule is:

A
Zero
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B
1
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C
2
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D
3
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Solution

The correct option is C 2
Oxygen molecule (O2): Each oxygen atom has 8 electrons. Hence, O2 molecule has a total of 16 electrons. The electronic configuration of O2 molecule therefore is:
O2:(σ1s)2(σ1s)2(σ2s)2(σ2s)2(σ2pz)2(π2px)2=(π2py)2(π2px)1=(π2py)1

As we can see from the above electronic configuration, there are two unpaired electrons in the antibonding molecular π -orbital which leads to oxygen exhibiting paramagnetic properties.

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