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sunbuster
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Homework Statement
Why does chromium(III) absorb light? Explain what is happening on an atomic level.
-> I don't really get this problem. Can you help me out...? Please...
QuarkCharmer said:What happens when a photon "excites" an electron in an atom?
Chromium(III) absorbs light through a process called electronic transition, where an electron in the atom's outermost energy level is excited to a higher energy level by absorbing a photon of light. The absorption of light occurs in the visible region, giving chromium(III) its characteristic color.
Chromium(III) absorbs light in the visible region, with a wavelength range of approximately 400-700 nanometers. This corresponds to the blue-green region of the spectrum, giving chromium(III) compounds a characteristic green color.
The concentration of chromium(III) can affect its light absorption by changing the intensity of the color observed. As the concentration increases, more light is absorbed, resulting in a darker or more intense color. However, the wavelength of light absorbed remains the same.
Spectroscopy is a technique that uses the absorption of light to analyze the chemical composition of a sample. In the case of chromium(III), the characteristic absorption of light in the visible region can be used to identify the presence of the element in a sample and determine its concentration.
Yes, the absorption of light by chromium(III) can be affected by its chemical environment. This is because the electronic transitions of the atom are influenced by the surrounding atoms and molecules. Changes in the chemical environment can result in shifts in the absorption spectrum, allowing for the identification of different chromium(III) compounds.