chemistry colours

Group 1 metals

Grey solid

Group 1 oxides

White solid

Group 1 metal compounds

Mostly white

Group 1 dissolved in water

Colourless solution

Group 2 metals

Grey solid

Fluorine

Yellow gas

Chlorine

Yellow-green gas

Bromine

Red-brown liquid

Iodine

Grey-black solid

Iodine gas

Purple

Astatine

Black solid

Group 0 metals (noble gases)

Colourless gases

Transition metal compounds

Often coloured

Copper (II) oxide

Black

Copper (II) carbonate

Green

Hydrated copper (II) sulfate

Blue

Copper (II) salts in solution

Blue

Chlorine water

Virtually colourless

Bromine water

Orange

All polymers

White solids

Alkanes and alkenes

Colourless gases

Alcohols

Colourless liquids with alcohol-like smell

Methanoic acid

Colourless liquid with pungent odour

Ethanoic acid

Colourless liquid with vinegar-like smell

Propanoic acid

Colourless liquid with sharp, irritating odour

Butanoic acid

Colourless liquid with a rancid odour

K2Cr2O7 (potassium dichromate)

Orange

Group 7 (halogens)

Coloured, toxic

Iodine in an aqueous solution of iodide ions

Brown