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Outline the steps for calculating the magnetic moment for a transition metal complex
Accepted Answer
To calculate the magnetic moment of a transition metal complex, follow these steps:
1. Determine the oxidation state of the metal ion: This will tell you how many d electrons are present.
2. Determine the number of unpaired electrons: Use the crystal field theory or the ligand field theory to predict the electronic configuration and the number of unpaired electrons.
3. Apply the spin-only formula: The magnetic moment (μ) is calculated using the following equation:
μ = √n(n+2) BM
Where n is the number of unpaired electrons and BM stands for Bohr Magnetons.
For example, consider a complex with a metal ion having 3 unpaired electrons. Its magnetic moment would be:
μ = √3(3+2) BM = √15 BM ≈ 3.87 BM.
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