In transition metals, where does the formation of colour come from?

The answer for this stems from the very definition of what a transition metal is: a metal that can form one or more stable ions with partially filled d-subshell. The partially fill d-subshell part is crucial to this.

When a ligand (species with lone pair) bonds to a metal, the 5 3d subshells all become different energies. This means that energy will be absorbed in order to move the e- from the ground state to the excited state. The resultant light is reflected and missing the frequencies which were absorbed (dE = hf) and gives the complimentary colour to the light which was absorbed. If there is no 3d or it is full then no e- can jump therefor the metal will be either colourless(in solution) or white.

CW
Answered by Charles W. Chemistry tutor

3189 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What affects the boiling point of an alkane and why?


What is chirality?


Given is a following reaction at equilibrium: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g), ΔH < 0. What will be the effect of changing the following conditions on the system? 1. Increasing pressure. 2. Decreasing temperature. 3. Adding a catalyst. 4. Adding HCl(g).


Write a balanced half equation for the oxidation of Mn 2+ to MnO4 -


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning