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Chapter 21: Problem 19

Briefly explain what determines the characteristic color of (a) a metal and (b) a transparent nonmetal.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The color of (a) a metal is determined by its ability to reflect light over a broad range of wavelengths, influenced by factors such as surface texture, oxidation state, impurities, and the arrangement of electrons. (b) The color of a transparent nonmetal is determined by the wavelengths of light that are absorbed, transmitted, or reflected by the material, depending on the atomic structure and specific energy levels at which the electrons can be excited.

Step by step solution

01

Characteristics of metals

Metals have a characteristic luster and are excellent conductors of electricity due to their atomic structure. They have free-moving electrons which can easily absorb and re-emit photons of light when illuminated. This allows them to reflect light over a broad range of wavelengths, giving them a characteristic metallic color. The reflectivity properties of metals depend on their atomic structure and the arrangement of electrons.
02

Characteristics of transparent nonmetals

Transparent nonmetals are materials that allow light to pass through with minimal scattering and absorption. This means that the electrons in these materials are more tightly bound, and they do not have free-moving electrons as in metals. When light interacts with transparent nonmetals, only specific wavelengths are absorbed, and the rest are transmitted or reflected, which gives them a specific color.
03

Color determination in metals

The color of a metal is influenced mainly by its ability to reflect light over a broad range of wavelengths. Factors such as surface texture, oxidation state, impurities, and the arrangement of electrons in the material can affect the metal's reflectivity and thus its color. For example, gold has a yellow color due to the preferential absorption of blue light, while silver reflects almost all visible light and appears to be a shiny, reflective silver-gray.
04

Color determination in transparent nonmetals

The color of a transparent nonmetal is determined by the wavelengths of light that are absorbed, transmitted, or reflected by the material. These absorption and transmission properties depend on the atomic structure of the nonmetal, and the specific energy levels at which the electrons can be excited. This leads to the selective transmission and absorption of specific wavelengths of light, which determines the color of the transparent nonmetal. For example, a piece of glass colored green would reflect and transmit green light while it absorbs other colors, giving it a green appearance.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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