Edexcel IAL Chemistry A2 17.9 why some aqueous ions are colourless
Edexcel IAL Chemistry A2 17.9 why some aqueous ions are colourless
A colourless ion often lacks the right transition: full d, empty d, no f electrons or an energy gap outside the visible region prevents visible absorption.
How this is tested
- Explain colourless ions by full or empty d subshells preventing d-d transitions.
- Use energy gaps outside the visible spectrum to justify a colourless ion.
- Apply f-electron reasoning to colourless lanthanide aqua ions when needed.