Which of the following best explains the distinctive colors of specific elements when used in fireworks?
A
the number of electrons in the atoms
B
electrons moving from an excited energy state to the ground state
С
the number of neutrons in the atoms
D
electrons transferring from one atom to a different atom

explanation:

metals have excess of electrons whereas non-metals have deficiency of electrons. thus, in order to gain stability metals easily donate their electrons to the non-metals.

for example, electronic configuration of sodium is and electronic configuration of phosphorous is .

when a phosphorous atom and sodium atom combine together then sodium will donate is extra one electron to the phosphorous atom. as a result there will be formation of ionic bond between sodium and phosphorous.

the reaction will be as follows.

there, are three sodium sodium atoms and each of them will donate its one extra electron to phosphorous atom. thus, the sub-shell of phosphorous gets completely filled.  

thus, we can conclude that electrons are transferred from atoms of sodium to atoms of phosphorous. this transfer makes the sodium atoms donate one electron and the phosphorous atoms to gain one electron. as a result, the sodium and phosphorus atoms strongly attract each other.

ca has a crystalline lattice with positive ions (since it is a metal, metals are positively charged) and electrons flow freely in its structure since the ca atoms have a large nuclear radius so the electrons are not tightly held, therefore the electrons can flow freely since they are not being highly attracted by the nucleus. moreover, one of the properties of metals are that they are conductors of electricity, thus proving ca is the element.