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What is the difference between an atom in the ground state and an atom in an excited state? A. The atom in the ground state has less energy and is less stable than the atom in an excited state. B. The atom in an excited state has one fewer electron than the atom in the ground state. C. The atom in an excited state has more energy and is less stable than the atom in the ground state. D. The atom in an excited state has one more electron than the atom in the ground state.

Answer :

antonsandiego
The difference between an atom in the ground state and an atom in an excited state is being revealed by the third option C. The atom in an excited state has more energy and is less stable than the atom in the ground state.
Erudite1

The correct option is C.

An atom can be either in the ground state or in an excited state. An atom is said to be in the ground state, if the total energy of its electron can not be lowered by moving one or more electrons into different orbitals. At the ground state, the electrons in the atom have the lowest energy possible and they are stable. On the other hand, an atom is said to be in an excited state, if the energy of its electrons can be lowered by transferring one or more electrons into different orbitals. An atom in an excited state has more energy and is less stable.

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