In this model the electron cloud of a multi-electron atom may be seen as being built up (in approximation) in an electron configuration that is a product of simpler hydrogen-like atomic orbitals. The ...

"They touch when the electron orbitals of one atom overlap enough with the electron orbitals of the other atom that physical or chemical effects start happening," Baird explained. "This is ...

So bismuth has partially filled orbitals and should behave as a paramagnet. However, its position in row six of the periodic table means bismuth also possesses some unusual heavy-atom properties.