Redox and the Goddess of Beauty

A yellow solution containing vanadium(V) ions goes through a series of beautiful color changes as it is swirled and shaken with zinc metal. The final purple solution, which contains vanadium(II) ions, miraculously cycles back through the entire series of color changes when hydrogen peroxide is added. The beautiful colors of vanadium ions and oxidation states show why vanadium was named after Vanadis, the Norse goddess of beauty.