Question:medium

Which of the following statements is correct about Hg?

Show Hint

Group 12 elements (Zn, Cd, Hg) have the general configuration $(n-1)d^{10} ns^2$.
Because of their completely filled d-orbitals, they are always diamagnetic in their elemental ground states.
  • Hg is paramagnetic
  • Hg is diamagnetic
  • Hg is ferromagnetic
  • Hg has unpaired electrons
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Write the electronic configuration of Hg.
Mercury (Z = 80) has the configuration \( [\text{Xe}] 4f^{14} 5d^{10} 6s^2 \), with the 5d and 4f subshells fully filled and the 6s subshell also completely filled with a paired electron pair.
Step 2: Check for unpaired electrons.
Since every subshell in this configuration is completely filled, there are no unpaired electrons anywhere in the atom, ruling out paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, and the presence of unpaired electrons.
Step 3: Conclude the magnetic behaviour.
A species with all its electrons paired is weakly repelled by an external magnetic field, which is the defining property of a diamagnetic substance.
\[ \boxed{\text{Hg is diamagnetic}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0