Which of the following would be attracted towards magnetic field

Options

A. Zn
B. Mn
C. Mg
D. Cd

Answer

To determine which of the given elements would be attracted towards a magnetic field, we need to analyze the electronic configurations of each element and identify the presence of unpaired electrons. Unpaired electrons are responsible for paramagnetism, which is the property that causes an atom or ion to be attracted to a magnetic field.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Elements**: The elements given are Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Magnesium (Mg), and Cadmium (Cd).

2. **Determine the Atomic Numbers**:
- Zinc (Zn): Atomic number 30
- Manganese (Mn): Atomic number 25
- Magnesium (Mg): Atomic number 12
- Cadmium (Cd): Atomic number 48

3. **Write the Electronic Configurations**:
- **Zinc (Zn)**:
- Electronic configuration: [Ar] 3d^10 4s^2
- **Manganese (Mn)**:
- Electronic configuration: [Ar] 3d^5 4s^2
- **Magnesium (Mg)**:
- Electronic configuration: [Ne] 3s^2
- **Cadmium (Cd)**:
- Electronic configuration: [Kr] 4d^10 5s^2

4. **Count the Unpaired Electrons**:
- **Zinc (Zn)**:
- 3d^10 and 4s^2 are fully filled. **Unpaired electrons = 0**
- **Manganese (Mn)**:
- 3d^5 has 5 unpaired electrons. **Unpaired electrons = 5**
- **Magnesium (Mg)**:
- 3s^2 is fully filled. **Unpaired electrons = 0**
- **Cadmium (Cd)**:
- 4d^10 and 5s^2 are fully filled. **Unpaired electrons = 0**

5. **Determine Paramagnetism**:
- An element is paramagnetic if it has unpaired electrons.
- **Zinc (Zn)**: Not attracted to a magnetic field (diamagnetic).
- **Manganese (Mn)**: Attracted to a magnetic field (paramagnetic).
- **Magnesium (Mg)**: Not attracted to a magnetic field (diamagnetic).
- **Cadmium (Cd)**: Not attracted to a magnetic field (diamagnetic).

6. **Conclusion**:
- The only element that would be attracted towards a magnetic field is **Manganese (Mn)**.

### Final Answer:
**Manganese (Mn)** is the element that would be attracted towards a magnetic field.

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