Question

When an atom absorbs energy, it goes into a(n) _______ state.

Short answer

When an atom absorbs energy, it goes into a(n) excited state.

Step-by-step solution

Atomic Energy States

An atom has two primary energy states: lower-energy ground state and higher-energy excited state.

Absorbing Energy

When an atom absorbs energy, its electrons absorb the energy and jump to the higher energy orbitals, which results in the atom transitioning to a higher-energy state.

Completion of the Sentence

When an atom absorbs energy, it goes into a(n) **excited** state.

Key concepts

Ground State

Atoms exist in a simple yet important state called the ground state when they are at their lowest energy level. In this state, the electrons in an atom are in the most stable and lowest energy orbitals available.
This is the natural state of the atom when it's not interacting with external energy sources. Essentially, think of the ground state as the atom's 'home' where everything is calm and stable.

• Electrons are found in the closest possible orbitals to the nucleus.
• Atoms remain in the ground state unless an external energy is introduced.

Understanding the ground state is crucial because it serves as the starting point from which changes occur as energy is absorbed and electrons get excited.

Excited State

Whenever an atom absorbs energy, it transitions into what we call an excited state. In this condition, the electrons in the atom gain energy and move to higher energy levels or orbitals.
This change is temporary because the electrons tend to return to the more stable ground state, releasing energy as they fall back down.

• The excited state occurs when energy is absorbed, causing electrons to leap to higher orbitals.
• This state is unstable and short-lived, making atoms eager to return to the ground state.

This transition into the excited state is crucial for many chemical reactions and processes, including the emission of light and other forms of radiation.

Energy Absorption

The process of energy absorption is fascinating because it involves atoms gaining energy from an external source. This gained energy results in a change of the energy state of electrons within the atom.
When energy is absorbed, electrons take this energy and move to new and higher levels.

• Energy can come from various sources such as heat, light, or electricity.
• Upon absorption, the electrons are temporarily lifted to a higher energy level, entering the excited state.

This absorption capability is fundamental in understanding many phenomena around us, from the basic physics of how light interacts with matter to more complex chemical reactions in everything from photosynthesis to electrical devices.