Science, Tech, Math › Science Crystal Field Splitting Definition Share Flipboard Email Print YanA/Wikimedia Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 27, 2019 Definition: Crystal field splitting is the difference in energy between d orbitals of ligands.Crystal field splitting number is denoted by the capital Greek letter Δ.Crystal field splitting explains the difference in color between two similar metal-ligand complexes.Δ tends to increase with oxidation number and increases down a group on the periodic table. Also Known As: ligand field splitting Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Crystal Field Splitting Definition." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/crystal-field-splitting-definition-608736. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Crystal Field Splitting Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/crystal-field-splitting-definition-608736 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Crystal Field Splitting Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/crystal-field-splitting-definition-608736 (accessed June 9, 2023). copy citation Featured Video