Question

The energy difference between the 5d and 6s sublevels in gold accounts for its color. Assuming this energy difference is about 2.7 eV (electron volt; 1 eV = 1.602 x 10⁻¹⁹ J), explain why gold has a warm yellow color.

Answer 1

`\lambda=459.1* 10^(-7)\ m` = 459.1 nm

This wavelength corresponds to yellow color and thus gold has warm yellow color.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that:- Energy = 2.7 eV

Energy in eV can be converted to energy in J as:

1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J

So, Energy =
`2.7* 1.602* 10^(-19)\ J=4.33* 10^(-19)\ J`

Considering:-

`E=(h* c)/(\lambda)`

Where,

h is Plank's constant having value
`6.626* 10^(-34)\ Js`

c is the speed of light having value
`3* 10^8\ m/s`

`\lambda` is the wavelength of the light

So,

`4.33* 10^(-19)=(6.626* 10^(-34)* 3* 10^8)/(\lambda)`

`4.33* \:10^(26)* \lambda=1.99* 10^(20)`

`\lambda=459.1* 10^(-7)\ m` = 459.1 nm

This wavelength corresponds to yellow color and thus gold has warm yellow color.