Excited State vs. Ground State
e-e- e-e- Ground state Excited state Electrons can only be at specific energy levels, NOT between levels.
Color = Energy of Photons Zumdahl, Zumdahl, DeCoste, World of Chemistry 2002, page 329
Energy Level Zumdahl, Zumdahl, DeCoste, World of Chemistry 2002, page 329 A B CD Ground state Energy Four excited states
An Excited Lithium Atom Zumdahl, Zumdahl, DeCoste, World of Chemistry 2002, page 326 Photon of red light emitted Li atom in lower energy state Excited Li atom Energy
An Excited Lithium Atom Zumdahl, Zumdahl, DeCoste, World of Chemistry 2002, page 326 Photon of red light emitted Li atom in lower energy state Excited Li atom Energy
Excitation of Hydrogen Atoms Zumdahl, Zumdahl, DeCoste, World of Chemistry 2002, page 328
Return to Ground State
Frequency A Frequency B Frequency C n = 2 n = 1 n = 3
Frequency A Frequency B Frequency C n = 2 n = 1 n = 3 A B C A + B = C