Answer:
Because each element has an exactly defined line emission spectrum, scientists are able to identify them by the color of flame they produce. For example, copper produces a blue flame, lithium, and strontium a red flame, calcium an orange flame, sodium a yellow flame, and barium a green flame. When you heat an atom, some of its electrons are "excited* to higher energy levels. When an electron drops from one level to a lower energy level, it emits a quantum of energy. ... The different mix of energy differences for each atom produces different colors. Each metal gives a characteristic flame emission spectrum