Question

When an element is heated in a Bunsen burner flame, the resulting color of the flame changes can be used to identify the element. What causes the colored light that is observed? (2 points) The protons and neutrons move faster at higher temperatures and their collisions produce light energy. When an electron moves from a higher to lower orbital, energy is released as waves of light. An endothermic reaction occurs, which converts the thermal energy to light energy. Upon heating, the element reacts with oxygen to produce a gaseous compound with a specific color.

Answer 1

When an electron moves from a higher to lower orbital, energy is released as waves of light.

Step-by-step explanation:

The energy from the flame excites the electrons to orbitals of higher energy.

When the electrons drop to lower-energy orbitals, they release the excess energy as light waves.