PHOTOLYSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Photolysis refers to a chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down or transformed into its constituent parts through the absorption of light energy. The process involves the splitting or decomposition of a molecule by photons, resulting in the formation of new chemical species.
Photolysis is carried out when molecules, more specifically, chemical bonds within molecules, absorb photons with sufficient energy to disrupt the bonds and subsequently release the desired products. This phenomenon often occurs in the presence of catalysts or photosensitizers that enhance the absorption of light, such as certain transition metals or organic compounds.
The mechanism of photolysis varies depending on the nature of the compound involved. In some cases, the process may involve the direct transfer of energy from the absorbed photons to the chemical bonds, causing them to break. For other substances, photolysis may trigger a rearrangement of atoms within the molecule, leading to the formation of different molecular structures.
Photolysis has significant implications in various fields of science, including chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences. It is utilized in areas such as artificial photosynthesis, where light energy is employed to split water molecules, producing hydrogen and oxygen gas. Additionally, photolysis plays a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry, as it helps to understand and model the breakdown of pollutants, such as ozone-depleting substances and air pollutants.
Overall, photolysis represents a vital process that harnesses the power of light energy to drive chemical reactions, ultimately leading to the creation of new chemical species and influencing multiple scientific disciplines.
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Decomposition under the influence of light.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHOTOLYSIS
Etymology of PHOTOLYSIS
The word "photolysis" is derived from two Greek roots: "photo" (φῶς, phōs), meaning "light", and "lysis" (λύσις, lysis), meaning "breakdown" or "separation". Therefore, the etymology of "photolysis" can be understood as the breakdown or separation caused by light.
