Refer to their electron configurations to explain why copper is paramagnetic, whereas its 1+ ion is not.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the electron configuration of a neutral copper atom (Cu).
2. Determine the electron configuration of the copper 1+ ion (Cu^+).
3. Explain the concept of paramagnetism, which occurs when there are unpaired electrons in an atom or ion.
4. Analyze the electron configuration of neutral copper to identify any unpaired electrons.
5. Compare the electron configuration of Cu^+ to see if there are any unpaired electrons, explaining why it is not paramagnetic.

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. For copper (Cu), the electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s1, indicating that it has one unpaired electron in the 4s orbital. This unpaired electron is responsible for copper's paramagnetic properties, as unpaired electrons contribute to magnetic moments.

Paramagnetism

Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism that occurs in materials with unpaired electrons. These unpaired electrons create a net magnetic moment, allowing the material to be attracted to external magnetic fields. In the case of copper, the presence of the unpaired 4s electron makes it paramagnetic, while the absence of unpaired electrons in its 1+ ion (Cu+) results in a lack of magnetic properties.

Ionization and Electron Removal

Ionization refers to the process of removing an electron from an atom or ion. When copper loses one electron to form Cu+, the electron is removed from the 4s orbital, resulting in the electron configuration [Ar] 3d10. This configuration has all electrons paired in the 3d subshell, leading to the conclusion that Cu+ is diamagnetic, as it lacks unpaired electrons.