The 'spin only' magnetic moment $\mu$ (in Bohr magnetons) of a transition metal ion with $n$ unpaired d-electrons is given by:
A$\mu = n$
B$\mu = \sqrt{n}$
C$\mu = \sqrt{n(n+2)}$
D$\mu = n(n+1)$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. $\mu = \sqrt{n(n+2)}$
The spin-only formula is $\mu = \sqrt{n(n + 2)}\,\text{BM}$, where $n$ is the number of unpaired electrons.
It comes from the spin angular momentum quantum number $S = n/2$ and the relation $\mu = 2\sqrt{S(S+1)}\,\text{BM} = \sqrt{n(n+2)}$.
The actual magnetic moment can differ slightly due to orbital contribution
this is small for first-row transition ions in octahedral fields.
Keep practising The d- and f-Block Elements & Coordination Compounds
Browse all The d- and f-Block Elements & Coordination Compounds questions for ISC Class 12, or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
NEET · Chemistry · Tap the HalogensTap every failing of Valence Bond TheorySort each ligand by how many donor atoms it usesAmong the 3d-series transition metals, the element that exhibits the largest number of oxiThree of these are wrong. Find the one that holds.The IUPAC name of K3[Fe(CN)6] is:The biological molecule HAEMOGLOBIN contains which metal at its centre?Complete the definition of oxidation number