photodissociation

(noun)

molecular dissociation resulting from the absorption of a photon

Related Terms

Examples of photodissociation in the following topics:

  • Ozone Depletion

    • The main source of these halogen atoms in the stratosphere is photodissociation of man-made halocarbon refrigerants; examples include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), freons, and halons.
    • In the stratosphere, absorption of ultraviolet photons results in the photodissociation (breaking apart) of oxygen molecules.