N2 is Diamagnetic but O2 is paramagnetic – why?

Ans:
The origin of magnetism is explained by taking into consideration the circular motion of
electrons. The electrons present inside the atoms move in circular orbits around the nucleus;
this is similar to a circular coil carrying current. The electron's orbital motion gives rise to the
orbital magnetic moment.The electrons tend to spin around in their own axis, thus creating a
spin magnetic moment. The magnetic moment of an atom is the result of the vector sum of the
orbital and spin magnetic moment. Based upon the magnetic properties, the magnetic
substances are classified into three groups, namely diamagnetic, ferromagnetic, and
paramagnetic.

Diamagnetic substance:

Diamagnetic substances are magnetized weakly when placed in an external magnetic field in
a direction that is opposite to the applied field. The type of magnetism that is exhibited by
these substances is known as diamagnetism.

Diamagnetic substances don’t have any unpaired electrons in its orbitals. That’s why they
don’t attract through the magnetic field.

Paramagnetic Substances:

Substances that get magnetized weakly when placed in an external magnetic field in the same
direction as the direction of the externally applied field are known as paramagnetic substances.
These substances are different from ferromagnetic and diamagnetic substances. They have a
tendency to move from the weaker to the stronger part of the magnetic field.

Paramagnetic substances have unpaired electrons in its orbitals. That’s why they attract through
the magnetic field.

How to tell if a substance is paramagnetic or diamagnetic:

The magnetic form of a substance can be determined by examining its electron configuration:
if it shows unpaired electrons, then the substance is paramagnetic; if all electrons are paired,
the substance is diamagnetic. This process can be broken into four steps:

1. Find the electron configuration

2. Draw the valence orbitals
3. Look for unpaired electrons
4. Determine whether the substance is paramagnetic or diamagnetic

Electronic configuration of N2:

N2 molecules have 14 electrons.

So, the electronic configuration of N2 will be: σ1s2, σ*1s2, σ2s2, σ*2s2, {π2py2, π2pz2}, σ2px2
Here we can see that N2 doesn’t have any unpaired electron. So, it is a diamagnetic substance.
Electronic configuration of O2:

O2 molecule have 16 electrons.

So, the electronic configuration of O2 will be: σ1s2 , σ*1s2 , σ2s2 , σ*2s2 , σ2px2 , {π2py2 ,
π2pz2 }, {π*2py1 , π*2pz1 }

Here we can see that O2 have 2 unpaired electrons in its orbitals. So, O2 is paramagnetic.