Old photographic flashbulbs burn magnesium metal in a reaction that causes a flash of brilliant white light. A photographer would need to take care not to suffer burned fingers when trying to replace the hot bulb. What best identifies the energy transformation that occurs in the flashbulb?

Burning magnesium releases energy stored in its chemical bonds. The reaction produces brilliant light, which is electromagnetic energy, and heat, which is thermal energy. Therefore, the energy transformation is chemical energy to electromagnetic energy and thermal energy.

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