Electrons exist only at fixed levels of potential energy. However, if an atom absorbs sufficient energy, a possible result is that

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When an atom absorbs sufficient energy, one of its electrons may move to a higher energy level which is farther out from the nucleus. This is known as an excited state. Once the electron loses the absorbed energy, it falls back to its original energy level, releasing the energy as light or heat.

Electrons Exist Only at Fixed Levels of Potential Energy