Final answer:
An electron energy level that is higher than the ground state is called an excited state. Electrons can jump to these higher energy levels by absorbing energy, often from a photon, and release energy when returning to the ground state, according to the law of conservation of energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron energy level that is higher in energy than the ground state is known as an excited state. Atoms have energy levels that electrons can occupy, and when these electrons gain energy from an external source, such as heat, light, or electricity, they can jump from the ground state to a higher energy level, entering what is known as an excited state. This extra energy is often absorbed from a photon, and when the electron returns to the ground state, this energy is released again in the form of a photon.
The concept of energy levels is quantized, meaning that the electron can only exist in specific energy states, not between them. In the context of a hydrogen atom, the ground state is E₀ = -13.6 eV, and any state with higher energy is an excited state. The transition of an electron between these states is bound by the law of conservation of energy, ensuring that the energy gained when jumping to an excited state is equal to the energy lost when returning to the ground state.