Why is Oxygen paramagnetic?

Question

mathslover · Answer

Electronic configuration of $\bf{O_2}$ ---> Total number of electrons = 16

$\bf(\sigma 1s)^2 -(\sigma ^{*} 1s)^2 - (\sigma 2s)^2 - (\sigma ^ * 2s)^2 - (\sigma 2p_z )^2 - (\pi 2p_x ^2 = \pi 2p_y ^2 )\ - (\pi ^ * 2p_x ^1 = \pi ^ * 2p_y ^1) $ 

$\bf{ There ~are~ two ~unpaired ~electrons ~,~ therefore~ it ~is~ paramagnetic}$

mathslover · Answer

Check the attachment. That may help too.

anonymous · Answer

well on the basis of molecular orbital theory,,which states hybridisation of atomic orbitals,,we can state that oxygen is paramagnetic...
actually this theory was made after it was seen experimentally that oxygen is paramagnetic,,and not diamagnetic,,which was predicted by the existing theories and failed to explain this behaviour of oxgen..!!!!

unklerhaukus · Answer

I am trying to understand this :

mathslover · Answer

Okay, that's a good representation but you obviously don't need to cramp them all. Though, for better speed while solving questions, you can remember basic ones.

unklerhaukus · Answer

I suppose they type of magnetism the element exhibits also depends on Pressure and Temperature

mathslover · Answer

Sure about temperature, not sure about Pressure. But yes, I think you are correct.

unklerhaukus · Answer

Why is aluminium paramagnetic?

mathslover · Answer

Can you write electronic configuration of it?

unklerhaukus · Answer

|dw:1371215186542:dw|