Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.
🔑Concepts
Most transition metal ions exhibit paramagnetic behavior due to the presence of unpaired electrons in their orbitals. When all electrons are paired, the substance is diamagnetic.
The magnetic character is measured in terms of magnetic moment . As the number of unpaired electrons increases, the paramagnetic character increases.
Transition metals and their compounds are effective catalysts because of their ability to adopt multiple oxidation states and their ability to form unstable intermediate complexes.
In heterogeneous catalysis, transition metals provide a large surface area for the reactants to be adsorbed, which increases the concentration of reactants on the surface and weakens the bonds in the reacting molecules.
Common examples of catalysts include in the Contact process for manufacture, Finely divided in Haber's process for synthesis, and in the hydrogenation of oils.
📐Formulae
💡Examples
Problem 1:
Calculate the 'spin-only' magnetic moment of ion with atomic number .
Solution:
For (Manganese), the electronic configuration of is . For , the configuration is . There are unpaired electrons. Using the formula .
Explanation:
The magnetic moment is calculated based on the number of unpaired electrons in the -orbital. Since has a half-filled configuration, it has the maximum number of unpaired electrons for a series ion.
Problem 2:
Why is diamagnetic while is paramagnetic?
Solution:
has the configuration . has the configuration , meaning it has zero unpaired electrons , hence it is diamagnetic. has . has , meaning it has one unpaired electron , hence it is paramagnetic.
Explanation:
Paramagnetism requires at least one unpaired electron. achieves a stable noble gas configuration with no unpaired electrons.
Problem 3:
Explain the role of in the reaction between iodide and persulphate ions: .
Solution:
The ions act as a catalyst by alternating oxidation states. First, . Then, the is oxidized back: .
Explanation:
Transition metals catalyze reactions by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy through variable oxidation states.