Determining the Diamagnetic Atom- A Comprehensive Analysis of Candidate Atoms

Which of the following atoms is diamagnetic? This question often arises in the field of chemistry and physics, particularly when discussing the electronic configurations of atoms. Diamagnetism is a fundamental property of matter, and understanding which atoms exhibit this behavior can provide valuable insights into their electronic structures and magnetic properties.

Diamagnetism is a form of magnetism that arises from the presence of unpaired electrons in an atom. When an external magnetic field is applied, these unpaired electrons align themselves with the field, resulting in a net magnetic moment opposite to the field. This causes the atom to be repelled by the magnetic field, making it diamagnetic. In contrast, paramagnetic atoms have unpaired electrons that align with the external magnetic field, leading to a net magnetic moment in the same direction as the field.

To determine which of the following atoms is diamagnetic, we need to examine their electronic configurations. Let’s consider the following examples:

1. Chromium (Cr): Chromium has an electronic configuration of [Ar] 3d^5 4s^1. This configuration indicates that there are five unpaired electrons in the 3d subshell and one unpaired electron in the 4s subshell. As a result, chromium is paramagnetic.

2. Oxygen (O): Oxygen has an electronic configuration of [He] 2s^2 2p^4. This configuration shows that there are two unpaired electrons in the 2p subshell. Therefore, oxygen is paramagnetic.

3. Iodine (I): Iodine has an electronic configuration of [Kr] 4d^10 5s^2 5p^5. This configuration indicates that there are one unpaired electron in the 5p subshell. Hence, iodine is paramagnetic.

4. Helium (He): Helium has an electronic configuration of [He]. This configuration shows that all electrons are paired, resulting in a net magnetic moment of zero. Therefore, helium is diamagnetic.

In conclusion, among the given atoms, helium (He) is the diamagnetic atom. This is due to its completely paired electron configuration, which prevents the formation of a net magnetic moment when exposed to an external magnetic field. Understanding the electronic configurations of atoms and their magnetic properties is crucial in various scientific fields, including chemistry, physics, and materials science.