Which among the following molecule exhibits paramagnetism?

Step-by-step solution

According to Molecular Orbital Theory, the electronic configuration of O ₂ (16 electrons) is: _ 1s ^2 ^ * _ 1s ^2 _ 2s ^2 ^ * _ 2s ^2 _ 2p_z ^2 _ 2p_x ^2 _ 2p_y ^2 ^ * _ 2p_x ^1 ^ * _ 2p_y ^1 Due to the presence of two unpaired electrons in the degenerate antibonding ^ * molecular orbitals, O ₂ is paramagnetic. N ₂ (14 electrons) and F ₂ (18 electrons) have all their electrons paired in their molecular orbitals, making them diamagnetic. O ₃ (ozone) also has all its electrons paired and is diamagnetic.