Excited Electron Configuration

Absorption and Energy

• When an atom absorbs energy, one or more of its electrons can be excited to a higher energy level. This is known as the excited state.

  • When an electron is excited, it moves from a lower energy level to a higher one

Representing Excited State Electron Configuration

• To represent the excited state electron configuration, you first need to write out the ground state electron configuration.

Stability of Excited State

• The excited state is not as stable as the ground state. 

• The excited electron will eventually return to its original energy level, releasing the absorbed energy in the process. 

• This energy is often released as light, which is why excited atoms can glow.

The electromagnetic spectrum (longest wavelength to lowest frequency and shortest wavelength to highest frequency) include…

radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays; with visible light being the only portion directly perceptible to the human eye

Electrons moving down and visible light

When electrons move back down from an excited state, they emit electromagnetic radiation in the form of photons, which can fall within the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum

Wavelength

The distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given time period

A shorter wavelength corresponds to a higher frequency and vice versa, with both properties defining the type of what?

Electromagnetic radiation on the spectrum, like radio waves, visible light, or X-rays