| the state of least energy of a particle, as an atom, or of a system of particles. |
| ground level n. See ground state. |
| ground state n. The state of least possible energy in a physical system, as of elementary particles. Also called ground level. |
ground state n.
The state of least possible energy in a physical system, as of atoms or molecules.
| ground state
The state of a physical system having the lowest possible potential energy. For example, an electron in the lowest energy orbital in a hydrogen atom is in a ground state. The ground state of a physical system tends to be stable unless energy is applied to it from the outside; states that are not the ground state have a tendency to revert to the ground state, giving off energy in the process. Compare excited state. |