Question

An atom in its lowest possible energy state is said to be in the _______ state.

Short answer

An atom in its lowest possible energy state is said to be in the ground state.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of the lowest energy state of an atom

The lowest possible energy state of an atom is called its ground state. In the ground state, all electrons in an atom occupy the lowest possible energy levels around the nucleus. This is the most stable configuration for the atom, and it's the state in which the atom has the lowest possible total energy. Answer: An atom in its lowest possible energy state is said to be in the ground state.

Key concepts

Atom Lowest Energy State

The concept of the 'lowest energy state' of an atom centers around minimizing potential and kinetic energy to achieve stability. Atoms naturally seek out this configuration, known as the ground state. In this state, all the electrons are in the closest possible orbits to the nucleus that quantum physics allows.

This positioning is crucial because it means that the atom is at its most stable and least reactive. It's like a ball nestling at the bottom of a valley — it's stable because any displacement would require additional energy. When an atom absorbs energy, its electrons can jump to higher energy levels, or orbits, which is described as an excited state. However, these are less stable and naturally tend to revert back to the ground state by releasing energy, often as light.

This property of atoms is fundamental to numerous scientific disciplines, including chemistry, where reactions often involve atoms moving away from and returning to their ground state.

Electron Energy Levels

Let's delve into 'electron energy levels', which are akin to the rungs of a ladder surrounding the nucleus. While it might seem logical to think of these as continuously variable, they are actually discrete, meaning electrons can only exist at specific energy levels and not in between.

Electrons occupy the lowest energy levels available, a rule known as the Aufbau principle. These levels are organized into shells and subshells, each with a capacity for a certain number of electrons. When these spaces are filled according to specific rules (Pauli exclusion principle and Hund's rule), the atom achieves its lowest energy configuration.

Energy Level Transitions

Electrons can move between these levels in quantum leaps, absorbing or emitting energy in the form of photons. This principle underpins technologies such as lasers and fluorescent lighting, and it's also the basis for the colorful display of fireworks.

Atomic Stability

The 'atomic stability' of an element is vital, as it influences the chemical behavior of the atom. Stability in an atom is achieved when it's in the ground state, but what exactly contributes to this stability?

Firstly, we have the balance between the attractive force of the protons in the nucleus and the repulsive forces between the negatively charged electrons. When these are in balance, the atom is electrically neutral, and the electrons are in their lowest possible energy levels. Also, the distribution of electrons in the atomic orbitals plays a role. Atoms with a filled outer shell, such as the noble gases, are particularly stable.

Stability affects reactivity. Atoms in a highly stable state are less likely to engage in chemical reactions. Conversely, atoms that are not in their lowest energy state tend to be more reactive, often seeking to reach a state of lower energy through chemical reactions, forming bonds with other atoms that may result in a stable configuration for both.