ground state

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02704

The state of lowest Gibbs energy of a system.

See also: excited state

Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1118 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)

See also:
Orange Book, 2^nd ed., p. 227 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2245 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)