An excited state in electron configurations refers to the arrangement of electrons in an atom or molecule where one or more electrons have been promoted to a higher energy level. This can occur due to the absorption of energy, such as through heat or light.
The ground state of an atom or molecule is its lowest energy state, where all electrons are in their lowest possible energy levels. An excited state is any state where one or more electrons have been promoted to a higher energy level, making the atom or molecule less stable.
An atom can return to its ground state from an excited state by releasing the excess energy that caused the electron to move to a higher energy level. This can occur through the emission of light or heat, depending on the amount of energy absorbed by the electron.
Yes, electrons in an excited state can jump to multiple higher energy levels if they receive enough energy to do so. However, the likelihood of this happening decreases as the energy levels get higher, and some energy levels may not be accessible depending on the atom or molecule.
The number of electrons in an atom determines the possible energy levels that can be occupied in an excited state. For example, atoms with more electrons have a wider range of energy levels available for electrons to jump to, leading to more possible excited states.