is it metal or non metal? i'm thinking metal.
2007-10-22 09:49:30 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It is typically the metal. The electronic transitions that take place are easier to accomplish in a metal than in a nonmetal, but for certain compounds, the nonmetallic part can provide color, if it has a highly conjugated pi system. But for your run of the mill ionic compounds, the metal is more often than not responsible for the color, especially if it is a transition metal.
2007-10-22 09:54:29 · answer #1 · answered by William Q 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right that it is metal. For example, Cu++. CuSO4=blue CuCl2=green.
However, consider sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. These elements for compounds with metal ion, where they give metallic (Fool's gold) colors. That's why they're called chalcogens "bronze formers."
2007-10-22 17:00:29 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's much more complicated than that
the color of metals such as copper sulfate, iron oxide, is a result of the two ions together
the light actually promotes the electron from one atom to the other (charge transfer transition)
organic compounds follow another set of rules
2007-10-22 16:57:58 · answer #3 · answered by ferrous lad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋