energy level

energy level

n. In both senses also called energy state.

1. The energy characteristic of a stationary state of a physical system, especially a quantum mechanical system.

2. The stationary state of a quantum mechanical system.

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energy level

One of a set of states of a physical system associated with a range of energies. Electrons in an atom, for example, can shift between the different energy levels corresponding to orbitals in different shells. Also called energy state.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

energy level - a definite stable energy that a physical system can have; used especially of the state of electrons in atoms or molecules; "according to quantum theory only certain energy levels are possible" energy state energy, free energy - (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs; "energy can take a wide variety of forms"