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Transition metal ions often exhibit color due to the presence of d electrons in their partially filled d orbitals. When light interacts with these ions, electrons can absorb energy and move to higher energy d orbitals. The specific wavelengths of light absorbed depend on the metal ion and its coordination environment. The color we see is the complementary color of the light absorbed. For example, a solution containing copper(II) ions absorbs blue and green light, resulting in a blue solution because the complementary color of blue and green is orange.