What normally happens to atoms when they are exited by external light radiation?
It is observed that Light from the sun hitting moon dust causes it to become charged through the photoelectric effect. The charged dust then repels itself and lifts off the surface of the Moon by electrostatic levitation. So let us look this behavior by various elements present in earth. In general, atoms are most stable when all of their orbital are occupied by two electrons unless disturbed by external energy. Isolated atoms, such as hydrogen (H), carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O), have some orbitals that are not occupied by two electrons. For example, hydrogen is an atom that has a single proton (its nucleus) and a single electron. The electron of the hydrogen atom is in a 1s orbital. Different types of atoms (e.g., oxygen and hydrogen) have very different affinities for electrons. This differential affinity for electrons is demonstrated with different bonds or formation of Ions, covalent bond etc. For instance: Sodium metal has tendency to lose electron for Sun’s radiation an
