<p>i'm doing a lab right now and i'm stuck on a question.</p>
<p>this is a chemical spectra and flame lab. qusetion: cleary explain why the lights and burning compounds are producing/giving off colors (hint: electrons).</p>
<p>the gases are: Ar, H, He, Ne
the burning cations: Li, Ca, Sr, Cu, K</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>ahaha i so knew this last year. now it's all whooosh and gone. i think it has something to do with electrons getting excited and jumping into higher levels. The levels are different distances apart on different compounds, so when the electron goes back to it's stable place (see how much terminology i've forgotten?) it gives off different wavelenghts of light, resulting in different colors. lol, everything i burnt turned orange for me though, and then during the practical i spilled hydrochloric acid on my hand and waited it to burn, but it didn't. chem was a hoot.</p>
<p>i think it has to do with the emission and absorption spectra (or i might just be making this up) which is like what deus said</p>
<p>okay thanks guys</p>
<p>i'll post the 'actual' answer when my teacher reviews our labs</p>