photochemical reaction
Noun: A photochemical reaction is a chemical reaction that is initiated, driven, or catalyzed by the absorption of light energy (typically ultraviolet or visible light). The light provides the energy required to break or form chemical bonds, leading to products that differ from those formed in thermal (heat-driven) reactions.
This term is used specifically in the contexts of chemistry, physics, environmental science, and photography to describe reactions dependent on light. * The process of photosynthesis in plants is a classic example of a photochemical reaction. * Researchers are studying the photochemical reaction that causes certain plastics to degrade when exposed to sunlight. * The formation of ozone in the upper atmosphere involves a complex series of photochemical reactions.
- Primary Photochemical Reaction: Refers to the initial chemical event directly following the absorption of a photon.
- Photochemical Smog: A type of air pollution formed when sunlight triggers complex photochemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere.
- Photochemistry (n): The branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical effects of light and the study of photochemical reactions.
- Photochemical (adj): Of or relating to photochemistry or photochemical reactions (e.g., , ).
- Photoinduced (adj): Caused or initiated by light, often used synonymously in some contexts (e.g., ).
- Light-induced reaction
- Photoinduced reaction
- Undergo a photochemical reaction: To experience or be subject to this process.
- The dye molecules undergo a photochemical reaction when illuminated with a laser.
- Trigger/catalyze a photochemical reaction: To cause or accelerate such a reaction.
- Ultraviolet light can catalyze the photochemical reaction responsible for sunburn.
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a chemical reaction produced by the action of light
