Excited state

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004189",
  "term": "Excited state",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A state of a quantum mechanical system, such as an atom or molecule, that possesses more energy than its lowest energy configuration, the ground state. A system transitions to an excited state by absorbing energy, for example, from a photon of light, and is inherently unstable. The system returns to the ground state by releasing the excess energy through processes like fluorescence, phosphorescence, or non-radiative decay, with lifetimes ranging from femtoseconds to minutes.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "ground state"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1114 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)",
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2241 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/excited-state/"
}