MCQEasyJEE 2023Electronic Configuration

JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

The magnetic behavior of Li2O\mathrm{Li_2O}, Na2O2\mathrm{Na_2O_2}, and KO2\mathrm{KO_2}, respectively, is:

  • A

    diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic

  • B

    paramagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic

  • C

    paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic

  • D

    diamagnetic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The compounds are Li2O\mathrm{Li_2O}, Na2O2\mathrm{Na_2O_2}, and KO2\mathrm{KO_2}.

Find: Their magnetic behavior in the given order.

Magnetic behavior depends on whether the oxygen-containing ion has all electrons paired or contains an unpaired electron.

  1. In Li2O\mathrm{Li_2O}, the anion is O2\mathrm{O^{2-}}. This ion has a completely filled electronic configuration, so it is diamagnetic.

  2. In Na2O2\mathrm{Na_2O_2}, the anion is O22\mathrm{O_2^{2-}}. The peroxide ion has all electrons paired, so it is diamagnetic.

  3. In KO2\mathrm{KO_2}, the anion is O2\mathrm{O_2^-}. The superoxide ion has one unpaired electron, so it is paramagnetic.

Therefore, the order is diamagnetic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic. Hence, the correct option is D.

The solution also contains a conflicting page label saying "The Correct Option is B", but the worked explanation and final answer clearly state (4)\left(4\right) diamagnetic, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, which corresponds to option D.

Ion-wise Classification

Given: Li2O\mathrm{Li_2O} contains O2\mathrm{O^{2-}}, Na2O2\mathrm{Na_2O_2} contains O22\mathrm{O_2^{2-}}, and KO2\mathrm{KO_2} contains O2\mathrm{O_2^-}.

Find: Which sequence of magnetic properties matches these ions.

Use the standard facts:

  • O2\mathrm{O^{2-}} is diamagnetic.
  • O22\mathrm{O_2^{2-}} is diamagnetic.
  • O2\mathrm{O_2^-} is paramagnetic.

So,

  • Li2O\mathrm{Li_2O} \rightarrow diamagnetic
  • Na2O2\mathrm{Na_2O_2} \rightarrow diamagnetic
  • KO2\mathrm{KO_2} \rightarrow paramagnetic

Thus the required sequence is diamagnetic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic.

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Treating all oxygen-containing compounds as having the same magnetic behavior is incorrect. The magnetic property depends on the specific ion present, such as O2\mathrm{O^{2-}}, O22\mathrm{O_2^{2-}}, or O2\mathrm{O_2^-}. First identify the oxide, peroxide, or superoxide ion correctly.

  • Confusing peroxide O22\mathrm{O_2^{2-}} with superoxide O2\mathrm{O_2^-} leads to a wrong answer. Peroxide has all electrons paired and is diamagnetic, whereas superoxide has an unpaired electron and is paramagnetic.

  • Reading the inconsistent page label "Correct Option is B" without checking the worked explanation is a mistake. The actual solution text concludes with option (4)\left(4\right), which corresponds to D. Always trust the chemical reasoning and final worked statement.

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