Modern physics describes light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation as the group behavior of fundamental particles known as photons. Photons are released and absorbed through electromagnetic interactions with other fundamental particles that carry electric charge. A common way to release photons is to heat an object; some of the thermal energy being applied to the object will cause the molecules and electrons within the object to gain energy, which is then lost through thermal radiation, that we see as light. This is the process that causes a candle flame to give off light.