Question

Classify O2 and N2 as either paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Explain your answer by completing the orbitals in the given MO energy level diagrams above and referring to the electronic structure of these two molecules.

Answer 1

Bond order=2

(No. of electrons in bonding orbital)−(No. of electrons in anti−bonding orbital)

​

Bond order of N2=6/2 =3

​=3⇒N≡N

Bond order of O2

​=2

​=2⇒O≡O

If orbitals contains unpaired electrons, it is paramagnetic. Otherwise diamagnetic.

N2

​ does not have unpaired electrons. So, it is diamagnetic.

O2

​ have 2 unpaired