fotolyysillä

Fotolyysi, also known as photochemical decomposition, is a chemical process where molecules are broken down by photons of light. This occurs when a photon with sufficient energy is absorbed by a molecule, exciting it to a higher energy state. This excitation can lead to the breaking of chemical bonds within the molecule, resulting in fragmentation.

The specific wavelengths of light required for photolysis depend on the chemical bonds present in the molecule. For instance, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is often energetic enough to break bonds in many organic molecules. Visible light can also induce photolysis in certain compounds that absorb in this region of the spectrum.

Fotolyysi plays a significant role in various natural and artificial processes. In the Earth's atmosphere, UV radiation from the sun causes the photolysis of molecules like ozone and nitrogen oxides, which are important steps in atmospheric chemistry. In photosynthesis, light energy is used to drive the photolytic splitting of water, releasing oxygen and providing electrons for energy production. In the laboratory, photolysis is employed as a method for synthesizing new compounds or studying reaction mechanisms. It is also a factor in the degradation of materials exposed to light, such as plastics and dyes. The study of photolysis is a branch of photochemistry, investigating the interaction of light with matter.