photolysis

A scientist observes photolysis occurring in a clear beaker under a bright lamp.

Definition

Noun (uncountable):
- Chemical decomposition by light: "photolysis" is the process by which a chemical compound is broken down into simpler substances as a result of absorbing light energy (photons).

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

"Photolysis rate constant": a parameter used in environmental chemistry to quantify how fast a substance undergoes photolysis under specific light conditions.
- The photolysis rate constant of the pesticide was measured in the laboratory. (The speed at which the pesticide breaks down in light.)
"Direct photolysis": photolysis that occurs when a substance absorbs light directly and undergoes decomposition.
- Direct photolysis is common for compounds that absorb ultraviolet light. (The breakdown happens because the substance itself absorbs the light.)
"Indirect photolysis": photolysis that involves other molecules (such as reactive oxygen species) that are formed by light and then break down the target compound.
- In natural waters, indirect photolysis often degrades organic pollutants. (The breakdown is mediated by light-generated reactive species.)

Variants and Related Words

Photolytic (adj): relating to or caused by photolysis.
- The photolytic degradation of the dye was rapid under sunlight. (The breakdown caused by light was fast.)
Photolyze (verb): to subject to photolysis; to cause to break down by light.
- The compound photolyzes quickly when exposed to UV radiation. (The substance breaks down rapidly under ultraviolet light.)

Synonyms

Light-induced decomposition: the breakdown of a substance caused by light.
Photochemical degradation: a broader term for any chemical change caused by light, including photolysis.

Related Idioms

(None directly apply, as "photolysis" is a technical scientific term with no idiomatic usage in general language.)

Phrasal Verbs