photolysis
Light breaks molecules
Photolysis is the breakdown of molecules by light.
In chemistry and biology, it describes reactions where light energy splits chemical bonds—most familiarly in photosynthesis, where light breaks water molecules to release oxygen.
The term appears in technical contexts: UV photolysis degrades pollutants in water treatment.
Triatomic oxygen allotrope
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- CFCsOzone-depleting compounds, abbreviated
- chlorofluorocarbonsOzone-depleting synthetic compounds
ozone layer · UV radiation · troposphere · nitrogen dioxide · smog · halons · ozone depletion · free radicals
Decomposing H2O into elements
- titanium dioxideWhite inorganic pigment compound
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
- photodegradationLight-induced chemical breakdown
Breaking molecular connections
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- photochemistryStudy of radiation-induced reactions
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
Light-harvesting plant pigment
- water splittingDecomposing H2O into elements
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
- pigmentColor-imparting material
- carotenoidsFat-soluble plant pigments
Injury to genetic material
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
- retinalOf eye's inner lining
- circadianDaily biological cycle
photoaging · melanin · sunburn
ozone
Triatomic oxygen allotrope
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- CFCsOzone-depleting compounds, abbreviated
chlorofluorocarbons · ozone layer · UV radiation · troposphere · nitrogen dioxide · smog · halons · ozone depletion · free radicals · air pollution
water splitting
Decomposing H2O into elements
- titanium dioxideWhite inorganic pigment compound
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
photodegradation · solar energy · fuel cell · green hydrogen
bond cleavage
Breaking molecular connections
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- photochemistryStudy of radiation-induced reactions
chlorophyll
Light-harvesting plant pigment
- water splittingDecomposing H2O into elements
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
- pigmentColor-imparting material
DNA damage
Injury to genetic material
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
- retinalOf eye's inner lining
circadian · photoaging · melanin · sunburn
photo, loosen, photon, lysis, photosynthesis, photosynthetic, photocatalysis, photoreaction