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Q.Out of Fe3+Fe^{3+}, Sc3+Sc^{3+}, Cr3+Cr^{3+} and Co3+Co^{3+} ions, the one which is colourless in aqueous solution is : (A) Sc3+Sc^{3+} (B) Fe3+Fe^{3+} (C) Cr3+Cr^{3+} (D) Co3+Co^{3+} [Atomic number : Fe = 26, Sc = 21, Cr = 24, Co = 27]

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
✓ Free question

Colour in transition metal ions arises from d–d transitions, which require unpaired electrons in the d‑orbitals. Sc3+Sc^{3+} has a 3d03d^0 configuration (no d‑electrons), so it cannot undergo d–d transitions and is colourless. The correct option is (A).

The question asks which of the given trivalent ions is colourless in aqueous solution. Colour in transition metal ions is almost always due to the absorption of visible light by electrons moving between d‑orbitals — the famous d–d transition. For this to happen, the ion must have at least one electron in its d‑orbitals (a partially filled d‑subshell). If the d‑subshell is completely empty (d0d^0) or completely filled (d10d^{10}), no d–d transition is possible, and the ion appears colourless (or white) in solution.

Let’s check the electronic configuration of each ion.

  1. Sc3+Sc^{3+} (Atomic number 21)

    Sc ground state: [Ar] 3d14s2[Ar]\, 3d^1 4s^2.

    Removing three electrons (the two 4s electrons and the one 3d electron) gives Sc3+Sc^{3+}: [Ar] 3d0[Ar]\, 3d^0.

    No d‑electrons at all → no d–d transitions → colourless.

  2. Fe3+Fe^{3+} (Atomic number 26)

    Fe ground state: [Ar] 3d64s2[Ar]\, 3d^6 4s^2.

    Removing three electrons gives Fe3+Fe^{3+}: [Ar] 3d5[Ar]\, 3d^5.

    Five unpaired electrons (half‑filled d‑subshell) → d–d transitions possible → coloured (typically yellow‑brown in aqueous solution).

  3. Cr3+Cr^{3+} (Atomic number 24)

    Cr ground state: [Ar] 3d54s1[Ar]\, 3d^5 4s^1 (exception to the usual filling order).

    Removing three electrons gives Cr3+Cr^{3+}: [Ar] 3d3[Ar]\, 3d^3.

    Three d‑electrons → d–d transitions possible → coloured (violet or green depending on ligands).

  4. Co3+Co^{3+} (Atomic number 27)

    Co ground state: [Ar] 3d74s2[Ar]\, 3d^7 4s^2.

    Removing three electrons gives Co3+Co^{3+}: [Ar] 3d6[Ar]\, 3d^6.

    Six d‑electrons → d–d transitions possible → coloured (often yellow or brown in solution).

Watch out

A common mistake is to think that all transition metal ions are coloured. That’s false — ions with d0d^0 or d10d^{10} configurations (like Sc3+Sc^{3+}, Ti4+Ti^{4+}, Zn2+Zn^{2+}, Cu+Cu^+) are colourless. Colour requires a partially filled d‑subshell.

Tip

For quick recall: Sc3+Sc^{3+} is the only trivalent ion among the first‑row transition metals that is colourless. Its d0d^0 configuration is the key.

✓Final answer

The colourless ion is Sc3+Sc^{3+}, so the correct option is (A).

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