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
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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.
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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
The different techniques for measuring the lifetime of neutrons would then give different answers because one favors neutrons in an excited state over those at their lowest energy level.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for excited state
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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
The different techniques for measuring the lifetime of neutrons would then give different answers because one favors neutrons in an excited state over those at their lowest energy level.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024
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 24 Mar. 2026.
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