---
title: "A beam of isolated gaseous iron(II) ions, \\(\\text{Fe}^{2+}\\text{(g)}\\), produced from neutral iron atoms (\\(\\text{Fe}\\), atomic number \\(26\\)), is passed through an inhomogeneous magnetic field using the apparatus shown below to determine its magnetic behavior.  Which of the following correctly identifies the ground-state electron configuration of \\(\\text{Fe}^{2+}\\text{(g)}\\) and predicts its behavior in the magnetic field?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123560/"
date_modified: "2026-09-28T12:00:10+00:00"
---

# A beam of isolated gaseous iron(II) ions, \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\text{(g)}\), produced from neutral iron atoms (\(\text{Fe}\), atomic number \(26\)), is passed through an inhomogeneous magnetic field using the apparatus shown below to determine its magnetic behavior.

Which of the following correctly identifies the ground-state electron configuration of \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\text{(g)}\) and predicts its behavior in the magnetic field?

A beam of isolated gaseous iron(II) ions, \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\text{(g)}\), produced from neutral iron atoms (\(\text{Fe}\), atomic number \(26\)), is passed through an inhomogeneous magnetic field using the apparatus shown below to determine its magnetic behavior.

Which of the following correctly identifies the ground-state electron configuration of \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\text{(g)}\) and predicts its behavior in the magnetic field?

![A schematic diagram of a magnetic deflection apparatus rendered in grayscale line art. On the left, a rectangular box is labeled 'Ion Source' from which a horizontal dashed line representing a beam of \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\) ions travels to the right. The beam passes through the gap between two magnetic pole pieces: an upper pole labeled '\(\text{N}\)' with a sharp wedge-shaped tip pointing downward, and a lower pole labeled '\(\text{S}\)' with a flat horizontal top surface, creating an inhomogeneous magnetic field. To the right of the magnet poles, a vertical rectangular plate is labeled 'Detector'. The dashed trajectory line continues horizontally through the magnet gap toward the detector. No other particles, labels, text, or annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1790596810-WoN9Bi.jpg)

- **A.** \([\text{Ar}]\,4s^2\,3d^4\) | Diamagnetic (weakly repelled by the magnetic field)
- **B.** \([\text{Ar}]\,4s^2\,3d^4\) | Paramagnetic (attracted into the magnetic field)
- **C.** \([\text{Ar}]\,3d^6\) | Paramagnetic (attracted into the magnetic field)
- **D.** \([\text{Ar}]\,3d^6\) | Diamagnetic (weakly repelled by the magnetic field)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123560/*