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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
Band theory predicts that magnesium is an insulator. However, in practice it acts as a conductor due to
ChemistrySolid StateJEE Main
Options:
  • A presence of filled 3s – orbital
  • B overlap of filled 2p and filed 3s- orbital
  • C overlap of filled 3s and empty 3p-orbital
  • D presence of unfilled 3p –orbital
Solution:
2744 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: overlap of filled 3s and empty 3p-orbital
The electronic configuration of Mg is
1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p0
In it 3s – orbital is completely filed and 3p-orbital is empty. There is very small energy difference between 3s and 3p – orbitals. Thus, they overlap and make the Mg a conductor.

Band model of Mg

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