Background
Transition metals and their compounds display a variety of colors. For example, when a sample of copper is held in a flame it produces a green flame test. Aqueous solutions of copper compounds are blue. Adding ammonia to copper containing solutions produces a deeper blue color.
Assignment
Choose one of the transition or inner transition metals from the periodic table.
Using your book (Chapter 23 may be very useful) and Internet resources, discuss why your transition metal and their compounds display a variety of color. Be sure to include in your discussion, important oxidation states, the electron configuration and how the d-electrons are involved.
How can you include the electromagnetic spectrum and the nature of light into your discussion? How is energy and wavelength related? Use your knowledge of the emission and absorption of light in your discussion.
Remember to site your sources in APA style.
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