Why do cations emit colors when heated in a Bunsen burner flame?

Answer 1

Transitions between electronic energy levels release electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the energy difference between the levels. The heat promotes the electrons to the higher level; when they drop back down to the lower level a specific color of light is emitted.

Answer 2

Atoms were excited by heating, electrons move to a higher energy level and as these electrons fall back to a lower energy level, the specific radiation for the element is emitted.

Answer 3

Because each type of atom (element) has different number of electrons and different ground states , or state with out energy, so electrons will produce different colors.

Answer 4

Atoms were excited by heating, electrons moved to a higher energy level and the specific radiation for the element is emitted.