photodecomposition
Radiation causes disintegration
Photodecomposition is the breakdown of a substance caused by exposure to light.
The process occurs when light energy triggers chemical reactions that split molecules apart.
It explains why certain medications come in dark bottles, why plastics become brittle in sunlight, and why photographs fade over time: UV rays accelerate the photodecomposition of polymers.
Molecular breakdown via light
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- irradianceIncident power per area
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
solar · photocatalysis · spectral · absorbance · transmittance · photochemistry · photometry · optics
Losing electrons chemically
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- catalystAgent enabling change
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
dissolution · degradation · radical · molecular · substrate · intermediate · byproduct · mineralization
Microbial breakdown of organics
- pollutantEnvironment-harming agent
- plasticCapable of being molded
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- microplasticTiny synthetic particle pollution
wastewater · contaminant · sunscreen · pharmaceutical · dye · textile · polymer · atmospheric
photolysis
Molecular breakdown via light
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- irradianceIncident power per area
wavelength · solar · photocatalysis · spectral · absorbance · transmittance · photochemistry · photometry · optics · infrared
oxidation
Losing electrons chemically
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- catalystAgent enabling change
- reactionResponse to stimulus
fragmentation · dissolution · degradation · radical · molecular · substrate · intermediate · byproduct · mineralization · semiconductor
biodegradation
Microbial breakdown of organics
- pollutantEnvironment-harming agent
- plasticCapable of being molded
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
microplastic · wastewater · contaminant · sunscreen · pharmaceutical · dye · textile · polymer · atmospheric · ozone
photodecompositionthermolysis
Decomposition by heat
pyrolysis · biodegradation · hydrolysis · electrolysis · radiolysis
photo, photograph, photography, photographic, photographer, photon, photosynthesis, photoelectric, photocopy