Chemistry IGCSE Colours of Elements and Compounds

Li, Na and K

Silver when freshly cut

Cu

reddish brown

F₂ (g)

Pale yellow gas

Cl₂ (g)

Pale green gas

Cl₂ (aq)

very pale green, almost colourless

Br₂ (l)

dark red

Br₂ (g)

red/brown vapour

Br₂ (aq)

orange

Br₂ (hexane)

orange

I₂ (s)

dark grey solid

I₂ (g)

purple vapour

I₂ (aq)

brown

I₂ (hexane)

purple

Group 1 compounds

white crystalline solids (all soluble, all colourless in solution)

Group 2 compounds

white solids

Copper (II) carbonate

green

Copper (II) oxide

black

Copper (II) sulfate hydrated

blue

Copper (II) sulfate anhydrous

white

Copper (II) hydroxide

light blue

zinc oxide

white

Iron (III) oxide

reddish brown (rust)

Iron (II) hydroxide

green

Iron (III) hydroxide

brown

Barium sulfate

white

silver chloride

white

silver bromide

cream

silver iodide

yellow

manganese (IV) oxide

black

Phenolphthalein

Colourless in acid + neutral, pink in alkali

Methyl orange

Red in acid, orange in neutral, yellow in alkali

Litmus paper

Red in acid, blue in alkali

Universal indicator

Red in acid, green in neutral, blue in alkali

Thymolphthalein

Colourless in acid + neutral, blue in alkali