Which phenomenon explains why transition metal ions form colored aqueous solutions due to d-d electron transitions induced by ligand field splitting?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Crystal field splitting describes how electrostatic interactions between d-orbitals of a transition metal and surrounding ligand electric fields split degenerate d-orbitals into different energy levels, permitting visible light absorption via d-d transitions. The Stark effect involves spectral line splitting under external electric fields. The Zeeman effect splits atomic energy levels in the presence of magnetic fields. Compton scattering refers to high-energy photon wavelength shifts upon colliding with unbound electrons.