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  • Word comparison: ground state vs. excited state

ground state vs. excited state

ground state vs. excited state: 's the difference?

In electron configuration, ground state refers to the state of least energy of a particle, as an atom, or of a system of particles. Excited state refers to any of the energy levels of a particle or system of particles that has higher energy than the ground state.

ground state

noun

Physics.
  1. the state of least energy of a particle, as an atom, or of a system of particles.

excited state

noun

Physics.
  1. any of the energy levels of a physical system, especially an atom, molecule, etc., that has higher energy than the lowest energy level.