Excitation

/ˌɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The action of exciting or state of being excited; in physics, the process of raising an atom or molecule to a higher energy level.

Etymology

From Latin excitare meaning 'to call out, rouse, or summon', from ex- (out) and citare (to set in motion). The scientific sense developed in the 19th century with advances in physics.

Kelly Says

Excitation works the same way in physics and psychology - both involve adding energy to a system to move it from a stable state to a more active one! Atoms and humans both get 'excited' by receiving energy.

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