Stable State

Definition

A state where there are no net changes occurring over time; this could refer to an atom being in its lowest possible energy state or a system being at equilibrium.

Related terms

Equilibrium:

A state in which the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at the same rate, resulting in no net change in concentrations of reactants or products.

Ground State: The lowest energy state of an atom or other particle.

Metastable State: An excited state that is relatively long-lived and from which transition to a lower energy level is somewhat restricted.