| any of the energy levels of a physical system, esp. an atom, molecule, etc., that has higher energy than the lowest energy level. |
| Main Entry: | excited state |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a condition of a physical system, esp. an atom, molecule, etc., in which it has higher energy than the lowest possible energy level; the condition of an atom or molecule after absorbing energy |
| Example: | Excited states tend to be short-lived as they lose energy through collisions or emissions and relax back to ground state. |
excited state ex·cit·ed state (ĭk-sī'tĭd)
n.
The condition of an atom or molecule after absorbing energy from exposure to light, electricity, elevated temperature, or a chemical reaction, and which may be a necessary prelude to a chemical reaction or to the emission of light.