Question:medium

Which of the following pairs of ions will have same spin only magnetic moment values within the pair?
• [A.] \( \text{Zn}^{2+}, \text{Ti}^{2+} \)
• [B.] \( \text{Cr}^{2+}, \text{Fe}^{2+} \)
• [C.] \( \text{Ti}^{3+}, \text{Cu}^{2+} \)
• [D.] \( \text{V}^{2+}, \text{Cu}^{+} \) Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

To quickly find the number of unpaired electrons for a \( 3\text{d}^m \) configuration where \( m > 5 \), simply subtract the number of electrons from 10 (\( n = 10 - m \)). For example, for \( \text{Fe}^{2+} \) (\( 3\text{d}^6 \)), \( n = 10 - 6 = 4 \). This allows an instant matching shortcut with \( \text{Cr}^{2+} \) (\( 3\text{d}^4 \)) without drawing orbital diagrams!
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
  • C and D only
  • A and D only
  • A and B only
  • B and C only
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The spin-only magnetic moment \(\mu\) is given by \(\sqrt{n(n+2)}\) Bohr Magnetons (BM), where \(n\) is the number of unpaired electrons.
Therefore, two ions will have the same magnetic moment if and only if they have the same number of unpaired electrons in their \(d\)-orbitals.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's check each pair for the number of unpaired electrons (\(n\)):
A: \(Zn^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^{10}\), \(n=0\)) and \(Ti^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^2\), \(n=2\)). Different.
B: \(Cr^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^4\), \(n=4\)) and \(Fe^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^6\)). In \(3d^6\), there is one pair and 4 unpaired electrons \(\implies n=4\). Same.
C: \(Ti^{3+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^1\), \(n=1\)) and \(Cu^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^9\)). In \(3d^9\), there are four pairs and 1 unpaired electron \(\implies n=1\). Same.
D: \(V^{2+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^3\), \(n=3\)) and \(Cu^{+}\) ([Ar]\(3d^{10}\), \(n=0\)). Different.
Since B and C have matching \(n\) values, they have same magnetic moments.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement corresponds to option (D) B and C only.
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