A clear, visually engaging A-Level Chemistry resource explaining why transition metal solutions have different colours.

The resource brings together the key ideas students need to understand, including:

splitting of the d orbitals and the significance of ΔE
absorption of visible light and ΔE = hν
how the metal ion, oxidation state and ligand can affect ΔE
the relationship between the wavelength absorbed and the colour observed
complementary colours
examples of differently coloured transition-metal complexes
a concise complete chain of reasoning suitable for examination answers

The resource is designed as a classroom teaching aid, revision sheet or independent-study resource. It aims to help students move beyond simply memorising the colours of transition-metal compounds and understand the chemistry responsible for them.

Suitable for A-Level Chemistry across the major UK specifications.

The accompanying QR code gives students access to the related FranklyChemistry teaching video for further explanation.