What term describes a colored chemical compound that absorbs light and can color other materials?

What term describes a colored chemical compound that absorbs light and can color other materials?

• A. Pigment
• B. Dye
• C. Ink
• D. Tint

Answer: (A)

A pigment is a colored chemical compound that absorbs certain wavelengths of light and gives color to materials it's mixed with. The important point is that pigments are usually insoluble, so they color solids by dispersing tiny particles in a binder rather than dissolving. This makes pigments ideal for paints, plastics, and ceramics where you want durable color that stays put. Dyes are soluble and color materials by dissolving and bonding to them, which is common for fabrics. Inks are liquids carrying colorants for writing or printing, not solid pigments dispersed in a solid matrix. Tint just refers to a lighter shade of a color, not a separate colorant type. So the term that best fits a colored compound that absorbs light and can color other materials is pigment.

A pigment is a colored chemical compound that absorbs certain wavelengths of light and gives color to materials it's mixed with. The important point is that pigments are usually insoluble, so they color solids by dispersing tiny particles in a binder rather than dissolving. This makes pigments ideal for paints, plastics, and ceramics where you want durable color that stays put. Dyes are soluble and color materials by dissolving and bonding to them, which is common for fabrics. Inks are liquids carrying colorants for writing or printing, not solid pigments dispersed in a solid matrix. Tint just refers to a lighter shade of a color, not a separate colorant type. So the term that best fits a colored compound that absorbs light and can color other materials is pigment.