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The pale yellow color of the hexaaquamanganese(II) ion, [Mn(H2O)6]2+, arises from the weak d-d transitions within the manganese(II) ion. Transition metal ions, like Mn(II), have partially filled d orbitals. When light interacts with these ions, electrons can absorb energy and transition to higher energy d orbitals. This absorption of light in the blue-violet region results in the complementary color, pale yellow, being transmitted. However, the d-d transitions in Mn(II) are relatively weak, resulting in a pale color rather than a vibrant hue.