Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 1138 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism
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The idea
A molecule with unpaired electrons in its molecular orbitals is paramagnetic, weakly drawn into a magnetic field; one with every electron paired is diamagnetic, weakly repelled.
In practice
A molecule whose highest filled orbitals hold two unpaired electrons is drawn slightly into an external magnetic field.
Where people slip
This behavior is set by unpaired electrons in molecular orbitals specifically, unrelated to a molecule's overall charge.
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