Then place the loop into the hottest part of the flame and note the change in the color. Repeat this procedure for each station. They revolve around the atoms nucleus. There are different numbers of electrons in different elements and they are in different energy levels. Elements not included in a reaction are in the ground state energy level.
Atoms undergoing chemical reactions have electrons that are excited and jump to a higher level.
This lab shows us that elements having a chemical reaction with the flame exhibit the change of energy level with a change in the color of the flame. You would have a false reading on the color of the flame. You must also dip the wire loop in the hottest part of the flame which is found in the tip of the inner cone. This will enable you to get the best reading of the excited color of the flame.