Ground state

Definition

Ground state is the lowest energy state of an atom or molecule. It is the most stable condition where electrons occupy the closest possible orbitals to the nucleus.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the ground state, all electrons are in their lowest energy levels.
2. The ground state of an atom is crucial for determining its spectral lines when it absorbs or emits radiation.
3. An atom can absorb a photon and move to an excited state from the ground state.
4. When an electron drops back to the ground state from a higher energy level, it emits a photon corresponding to the energy difference between the levels.
5. Understanding the ground state helps in analyzing and predicting atomic spectra.

Review Questions

• What defines the ground state of an atom?
• How does transitioning from an excited state to the ground state produce spectral lines?
• Why is knowing the ground state important for understanding atomic spectra?

Related terms

Excited State: An energy level higher than the ground state where electrons have more energy.

Photon:

A particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation.

Spectral Line: A dark or bright line in a spectrum resulting from emission or absorption of light at specific wavelengths by atoms.