Oxygen (O2) is paramagnetic due to the presence of two unpaired electrons in its molecular orbital configuration, specifically in the π* antibonding orbitals. This results in a net magnetic moment, allowing O2 to be attracted to magnetic fields. In contrast, nitrogen (N2) is diamagnetic because all its electrons are paired, leading to no net magnetic moment. Consequently, N2 is not attracted to magnetic fields and may even be slightly repelled.
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