Question

An aqueous solution of CuSO4 appears blue because Cu(H2O)62+ ions absorb _________ photons. A solution of Beta-carotene in alcohol (carrot juice) appears orange, because Beta-carotene absorbs __________ photons.

Answer 1

Answer:

Orange, blue

Explanation:

A way to determine the color of a compound is using the Crystal Field Theory (CFT), which depends on the wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The spectrum is formed by different wavelengths, each one with a color. The color happens when the electron is excited, and the goes from a higher level. When it returns to its original energetic level, it releases a photon, in a color way.

So, in CFT, the substance is placed in a light with a mixture of colors. The photon will absorb the color of its wavelength and will reflect the other color, which will be seen in the solution. In this case, the mixed light was prepared with blue and orange colors.

Then, the Cu(H₂O)₆²⁺ ions will absorb the orange color, and reflect the blue one, and the solution will be blue. The beta-carotene will absorb the blue color and will reflect the orange, so the solution will be orange.