Lesson Plan: Colors of Transition Metal Ions
This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to explain the occurrence of color in transition metal compounds.
Objectives
Students will be able to
- explain how the position of ligands in complex ions influences the energy levels of d orbitals,
- describe splitting patterns between degenerate and nondegenerate orbitals,
- describe how the interaction of light and electrons create color in transition metal compounds.
Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with
- VSEPR and molecular shapes,
- the shape and arrangement of the d orbitals,
- the formation of complex ions,
- the ligand exchange.
Exclusions
Students will not cover
- details of multiple types of ligands.