Concept:An atom is in an excited state when one of its electrons gains energy and jumps from a lower energy level to a higher energy level.
Explanation:In the ground state, electrons occupy the lowest available energy levels around the nucleus.
When the atom absorbs energy, an electron can move to a higher energy level.
This condition makes the atom electrically neutral but energetically excited.
The excited electron lies farther from the nucleus, so its potential energy is higher than in the ground state.
However, the excited state does not mean the potential energy is maximum; it is simply greater than the minimum.
It is also not related to the conduction band, which describes electrons in solids.
The essential feature of excitation is the movement of an electron to a higher energy level.
When the electron returns to its original level, the absorbed energy is released as light or radiation.
Answer:D. electrons have moved to a higher energy level.