What color is solid iodine?

What color is solid iodine?

• A. Blue
• B. Red
• C. Violet
• D. Black

Answer: (C)

Solid iodine is violet in color. This hue comes from how I2 molecules absorb certain wavelengths of visible light; they selectively absorb in the yellow–green region, so the light that is transmitted or reflected has a purple-violet appearance. In solid form the crystals can look quite deep, sometimes almost black, because the absorption is strong and the surface reflects less light. The same electronic transitions give the gas a purple color, so the solid’s characteristic shade is violet.

Solid iodine is violet in color. This hue comes from how I2 molecules absorb certain wavelengths of visible light; they selectively absorb in the yellow–green region, so the light that is transmitted or reflected has a purple-violet appearance. In solid form the crystals can look quite deep, sometimes almost black, because the absorption is strong and the surface reflects less light. The same electronic transitions give the gas a purple color, so the solid’s characteristic shade is violet.