Question

When an atom is in the ground state what must happen for the atom to be in an excited state? what must happen for this atom to return to the ground state?

Answer 1

Hi there

In order for an electron to jump into a higher energy state, it must first absorb energy (heat, light, etc).

When an electron goes back down to the ground state from the excited state, it emits energy usually in the form of a photon.

i hope this helps