What does photolysis mean?
Photolysis is the breaking down of a substance through the action of light. When a molecule absorbs light energy, the energy can cause a chemical bond to break, producing different chemical species. The term is especially common in discussions of atmospheric chemistry, where sunlight breaks apart molecules such as ozone, and in biology, where the photolysis of water helps supply electrons for photosynthesis. It is also used in laboratory research to describe light-driven reactions involving compounds such as hydrogen peroxide. Photolysis should not be confused with ordinary fading or discoloration caused by light: it specifically refers to a chemical change at the molecular level. The related verb is photolyze, and the related adjective is photolytic.
nounThe chemical decomposition of a substance or molecular bond caused by absorption of light energy.
- The chemical decomposition of a substance or molecular bond caused by absorption of light energy.
"Photolysis of water in plant cells is an important step in photosynthesis."
"The photolysis of ozone in the upper atmosphere produces molecular oxygen and atomic oxygen."
"Researchers studied the photolysis of the compound under ultraviolet light."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instances of the process or to reactions involving different substances.
"The photolyses were monitored using absorption spectroscopy."
Photolysis is where light acts as a molecular拆解器, breaking chemical bonds and setting transformations in motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
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How photolysis is actually used
This is a technical term used primarily in chemistry, atmospheric science, and biology. It is normally written as a noun, while photolyze is the corresponding verb and photolytic the adjective.