What is the name given to the energy level normally occupied by an electron?

The energy level normally occupied by an electron is referred to as the ground state. In this state, the electron has the lowest energy level that is allowed in an atom. This means that the electron is not in an excited state, where it would absorb energy and move to a higher energy level. The ground state is the most stable configuration for an atom since the electrons are in their lowest potential energy positions relative to the nucleus.

When an electron is in the ground state, it is in its most balanced energetic position, minimizing its energy and interactions with the surrounding environment. This concept is fundamental in atomic theory and helps explain the behavior of atoms in different conditions, such as when they absorb energy from light.

While other terms like excited state, quantum state, and energy shell relate to electron configurations, they do not accurately describe the state where the electron is most commonly found in a stable atom. The excited state refers to any energy level that is higher than the ground state, while a quantum state is a more general term that can describe various configurations in quantum mechanics. An energy shell refers to a specific range of energy levels, but it does not specify the lowest energy level explicitly occupied by an electron. Therefore, ground state is the most precise term for this concept