Question

A carrot looks orange in color because of the $\beta $ carotene molecule in it. This means that the $\beta $ carotene molecule absorbs light of wavelengths.
A. Longer than 550 nm
B. Shorter than 550 nm
C. Longer than 700 nm
D. shorter than 700 nm

Answer 1

Hint: Carrots look orange because they absorb the different wavelengths of light. We use here the concept of VIBGYOR, which has different colors with different wavelengths of light, lies 400-700nm. Also, carotene is one of the most important groups of natural pigments.

Complete step by step solution:
As we know in VIBGYOR, the wavelength of a different color is different in a specific region. So O stood for orange and observed the wavelength shorter than 550nm. The concept behind it is that the color that we see is the reflected specific wavelength and rest all the complementary colors are absorbed. As we can see that in the question it is given that we are perceiving the orange color then this means that only the orange wavelength is the reflected one. And the wavelength of yellow, orange, and red lies above 700 nm. So the complementary absorbed wavelengths are violet, indigo, blue, green and all these wavelengths lie below 550 nm.

$\therefore$ Yes, then we can say that the correct option is (B).

Additional information:
Beta-carotene is the primary pigment and is mainly absorbed in the 400-500nm region of the visible spectrum with peak absorption at about 450nm. Carotenoids are one of the most important groups of natural pigments. They cause the yellow/orange colors of many fruits and vegetables. Though beta-carotene is most abundant in carrots, it is also found in pumpkins, apricots, and nectarines.

Note:
Dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are another excellent source. In these, the orange color is masked by the green color of chlorophyll. This can be seen in leaves; in autumn, when the leaves die, the chlorophyll breaks down, and the yellow/red colors of the more stable carotenoids can be seen.