Question #7ab96

1 Answer
Simon Moore
Jan 26, 2018

Absorption of visible region radiation by electrons that result from loss of oxygen on heating.

Explanation:

Heating zinc oxide causes loss of oxygen as #O_2(g)#. This results in the formation of #Zn^{2+]# ions, and two "spare" electrons no longer involved in bonding, which then move into interstitial sites in the crystal lattice. These electrons absorb radiation in the visible region. So with these frequencies being absorbed, what is reflected is no longer white light, but somewhat yellow..

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