Final answer:
Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are responsible for the green color in leafy vegetables like spinach, green beans, and broccoli. They absorb blue and red wavelengths and reflect green light. ß-carotene, which gives carrots their orange color, absorbs blue/green light and reflects red, yellow, and orange wavelengths.
Step-by-step explanation:
The color pigment responsible for the green in spinach, green beans, and broccoli is chlorophyll. Specifically, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the pigments that give leaves their green color. These pigments are found in the thylakoid membrane of plant cells.
Chlorophyll a and b absorb light from the blue and red parts of the spectrum but reflect green light, which is why they appear green to our eyes. ß-carotene is another pigment found in plants; however, it is responsible for the orange color in carrots and absorbs light in the blue/green part of the spectrum, reflecting yellow, red, and orange wavelengths.