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andriaka writes,

"Why in flame tests do the flames change colours according to the different elements?"

teacherdawginga (TEACHERDAWGI) answers:

"The colors observed durring the flam test is due to the excitement of the electrons cause by the increased temperature. The electrons "jump" from their ground state to a higher energy level. As they return to ground state the emitt visible light... The color also is connected to the location of the electrons and the affinity for the outer shell electrons to the nucleus. As you have noted, the color of the larger atoms is lower in energy. Sr giving a redish color as compared to Na orange color. The Na is has more affinity for the electron therefore it takes more energy to move the electron and thus the electron goes to a higher excitted state. As the electron decends to the ground state it has more energy to disperse."...

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