excited state
noun
: a state of a physical system (such as an atomic nucleus, an atom, or a molecule) that is higher in energy than the ground state
Examples of excited state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first step was to determine exactly how much energy is needed to push the thorium-229 nucleus into its excited state.
—
Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2015, a nuclear physics experiment gave results that seemed to conflict with the very specific predictions for what should happen when an unstable beryllium-8 nucleus is created in an excited state.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
The double excited state decays by electron emission after a few femtoseconds, producing a higher charge state.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Each wavelength generates a different excited state.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excited state
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Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
In 2015, a nuclear physics experiment gave results that seemed to conflict with the very specific predictions for what should happen when an unstable beryllium-8 nucleus is created in an excited state.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
The double excited state decays by electron emission after a few femtoseconds, producing a higher charge state.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Each wavelength generates a different excited state.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excited state
Cite this Entry
“Excited state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excited%20state. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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