Final answer:
Excited electronic states can undergo decay through collisions, where their energy is transferred to kinetic energy, leading to de-excitation without emitting light.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, excited electronic states can also decay due to collisions. This process is known as collisional quenching, which is different from spontaneous emission or phosphorescence. Excited atoms or molecules can collide with other particles, which can result in the transfer of their excitation energy to the kinetic energy of the particles involved, leading to de-excitation without the emission of a photon. This collisional process is more likely to occur in high-pressure environments where particles are closer together and more likely to interact.