How Do You Spell PHOTOCHEMISTRY?

Pronunciation: [fˌə͡ʊtə͡ʊkˈɛmɪstɹi] (IPA)

Photochemistry is the study of chemical reactions that are triggered by light. The word is pronounced as /foʊtōˈkɛmɪstri/, which can be broken down into the following sounds: "foh" (as in "phone"), "toh" (as in "toe"), "kem" (as in "chemistry"), and "ih-stree" (as in "history"). The emphasis is on the second syllable (/toh/), and the last syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound (/ih/). Its spelling follows the standard English rules, where "photo" is derived from the Greek word for "light" (φως) and "chemistry" from the French word "chimie."

PHOTOCHEMISTRY Meaning and Definition

  1. Photochemistry is a branch of chemistry that studies the chemical reactions and transformations induced or influenced by light. It deals with the scientific understanding of the interactions between molecules or substances and photons, the fundamental particles of light. This field encompasses the study of both the properties of light and its effects on chemical and physical processes.

    In photochemistry, the absorption of light by molecules leads to their excited states, which can undergo various reactions such as isomerization, photodissociation, or electron transfer. These reactions often occur on extremely short time scales, typically within femtoseconds or picoseconds. Understanding the mechanisms and outcomes of these reactions is crucial in investigating many natural phenomena, including plant photosynthesis, atmospheric chemistry, and the behavior of molecules in biological systems.

    Photochemists utilize a range of experimental techniques to elucidate the interplay between light and matter. This may involve laser spectroscopy, where the properties of light are carefully controlled to probe different chemical systems, or the use of photochemical reactions to generate light-sensitive compounds for various applications. Photochemistry has found significant applications in fields such as materials science, photobiology, renewable energy research, and even in the development of new pharmaceuticals.

    Overall, photochemistry is a complex and interdisciplinary field that combines principles from physics and chemistry to understand the intricate relationship between light and matter.

  2. The branch of chemistry which treats of the chemical changes set in action by light.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PHOTOCHEMISTRY

Etymology of PHOTOCHEMISTRY

The word "photochemistry" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "photo" (φῶς), which means "light", and "chemistry" (χημεία), which refers to the scientific study of the properties, composition, and behavior of substances. So, the etymology of "photochemistry" can be understood as the study of chemical reactions or processes that are influenced by or occur due to light.

Similar spelling word for PHOTOCHEMISTRY

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