Chemistry A-Level
complementary colour
What complementary colour means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of complementary colour
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain complementary colour in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
The colour you see is the complement of the colour absorbed, because the absorbed wavelengths have been removed from white light.
Topics that use complementary colour
- Formation of coloured ions (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- absorption of visible light
- absorption spectrum
- calibration curve
- colour changes on adding reagents
- filter selection
- ground state and excited state
- size of the d orbital gap
- standard solutions
Using complementary colour in the exam
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