Ammonium vanadate dissolves in moderately concentrated acid to give a yellow solution, the ion present being of oxidation state +5. Granuled zinc is added to act as a reducing agent and the oxidation state of the vanadium changes from +5 to +4 to +3 to +2 with the corresponding colour changes from yellow to blue to green to violet.
This video demonstrates the coloured nature of transition metals in addition to demonstrating that the actual colour depends on the oxidation state.
(All credits goes to Emma Baker for the video.I take no credit, except for uploading)
Do you know the half equations for this reaction?
Thanks for the upload, my chem book just vaguely wanders over this, :)
Craiguccini 9 months ago