ground state

n. The state of least possible energy in a physical system, as of elementary particles. Also called ground level.

ground state

ground level

n (General Physics) the lowest energy state of an atom, molecule, particle, etc. Compare excited⁴

ground′ state`

n. the state of least energy of a particle, as an atom, or of a system of particles. [1925–30]

ground state

The state of lowest possible energy, especially of subatomic particles. When subatomic particles, such as electrons and neutrons, are at a higher level of energy than their ground states, they emit radiation.

Thesaurus

Noun

ground state - (physics) the lowest energy state of an atom or other particlestate - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state"natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics"

Translations

ground state

Ground state

In quantum mechanics, the stationary state of lowest energy of a particle or a system of particles. The ground state may be bound or unbound; when bound, its energy generally is a finite amount less than the energy of the next higher or first excited state. In the typical circumstance that the potential energy is zero at infinite separation, the magnitude of the negative ground-state energy is the binding energy, that is, the energy required to separate all the particles infinitely. See Energy level (quantum mechanics), Excited state, Nuclear binding energy

ground state

See energy level.

ground state

[′grau̇nd ‚stāt] (quantum mechanics) The stationary state of lowest energy of a particle or a system of particles.

ground state

ground state

ground state

ground level

ground′ state`

ground state

ground state

Ground state

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ground state

Words related to ground state

noun (physics) the lowest energy state of an atom or other particle

Related Words