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Colour of compounds

When is a compound white vs colourless?
white means white, e.g. salt
colourless means no colour so like water
Original post by Sophie123.sdr
white means white, e.g. salt
colourless means no colour so like water


that doesnt answer my question. i was wondering when is this the case from a chemistry POV aka why are some compounds colourless and why are others white
Original post by fluffypoopies
that doesnt answer my question. i was wondering when is this the case from a chemistry POV aka why are some compounds colourless and why are others white

My understanding is that if it's colourless, that means it forms a white solid that dissolves to become colourless. However, if it remains white, it doesn't dissolve.
Original post by SagaciousSag
My understanding is that if it's colourless, that means it forms a white solid that dissolves to become colourless. However, if it remains white, it doesn't dissolve.

is there a link to colorimetry? are no wavelengths absorbed for colourless whereas all for white?
Original post by fluffypoopies
is there a link to colorimetry? are no wavelengths absorbed for colourless whereas all for white?

Yes, I guess so.
Original post by fluffypoopies
When is a compound white vs colourless?

White solids dissolve to give colourless solutions.

Blue solids dissolve to give blue solutions.

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