The origin of colour in complexes

Question 1

the three main concepts to consider when explaining the colour of metal complexes are:

Answer 1

• the electromagnetic spectrum and the colour wheel
• the connection between colour, energy and wavelength
• the electronic configurations of transition metal ions

Question 2

the electromagnetic spectrum is

Answer 2

the range of all wavelengths ans frequencies of all the types of radiation

Question 3

complementary colours are

Answer 3

colours opposite each other on a colour wheel

Question 4

visible light (‘white light’) is made up of

Answer 4

an infinite number of colours, not just seven !

Question 5

when white light is passed through a solution containing a transition metal complex,

Answer 5

some wavelengths of light are absorbed by the complex
therefore, the emerging light will contain proportionately more of the complementary colour.
so if a complex absorbs red light, the light emerging will look blue or green

Question 6

name the colours of these complexes:
Ti2+
V3+
VO2+
Cr3+
Cr2O7 2-
Mn2+
MnO4-
Fe3+
Co2+
Ni2+
Cu2+

Answer 6

name the colours of these complexes:
Ti2+  (red)
V3+   (green)
VO2+ (blue)
Cr3+  (green)
Cr2O7 2-   (orange)
Mn2+ (pink)
MnO4-  (purple)
Fe3+  (yellow)
Co2+  (red)
Ni2+  (light blue)
Cu2+  (blue)