Final answer:
An atom is in its lowest energy state, or ground state, when its electrons are in the lowest possible energy levels. If an electron in the atom absorbs a photon of radiation that is equal in energy to the difference between two energy states, it will move to a higher energy state and the atom is said to be in the excited state.
Step-by-step explanation:
An atom is in its lowest energy state, or ground state, when its electrons are in the lowest possible energy levels. If an electron in the atom absorbs a photon of radiation that is equal in energy to the difference between two energy states, it will move to a higher energy state and the atom is said to be in the excited state.