‹ Back to the paper
Answer the following.
Which ion, Co²⁺ or Zn²⁺, is attracted to a magnetic field? Give reasons. (Atomic Number of Co = 27…
Which ion, $\text{Co}^{2+}$ or $\text{Zn}^{2+}$, is attracted to a magnetic field? Give reasons.
(Atomic Number of $\text{Co} = 27$ and $\text{Zn} = 30$)
Answer
Answer
$\text{Co}^{2+}$ is attracted to a magnetic field.
Reason:
$\text{Co}^{2+}$ ($Z = 27$) has the electronic configuration $[\text{Ar}] 3d^7$. In the $3d$ subshell, there are 3 unpaired electrons ($n = 3$), making the ion paramagnetic, so it is attracted to a magnetic field.
In contrast, $\text{Zn}^{2+}$ ($Z = 30$) has the electronic configuration $[\text{Ar}] 3d^{10}$, in which all electrons are paired ($n = 0$), making it diamagnetic (repelled by a magnetic field).