Question

1.Identify the process in which electrons are surraunded an atom produce light (or electromagnetic energy radiation or energy).Identify the reason chloride salts are used in the Bunson burner flame.Identify the chlorife salt which is shown to have a crimson color when placed in the flame of Bunsen burner.Why do different ions/atoms emit differ colors of light

Answer 1

Emission is the process in which an atom transitions from a higher energy level o a lower energy level, giving out a photon(energy). Emission may be spontaneous or stimulated.

Chloride salts are more volatile and hence give brighter flames which can be easily identified. Also, the energy(light) emitted by electrons of Chlorine atoms in the salt is not in the visible region. Thus, during a flame test, the colour of the flame is due to the metal atom only.

Strontium chloride burns with a crimson or red flame.

Different elements have different flame colours because their electrons have different allowed energy levels. When an atom is heated, the electrons are excited to different energy levels. When an electron drops from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it emits energy. The wavelength or colour of the light depends on the difference in the two energy levels and differs for different atoms.