photolysis

[ foh-tol-uh-sis ]

noun
  1. the chemical decomposition of materials under the influence of light.

Origin of photolysis

1
First recorded in 1910–15; photo- + -lysis

Other words from photolysis

  • pho·to·lyt·ic [foht-l-it-ik], /ˌfoʊt lˈɪt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for photolysis

photolysis

/ (fəʊˈtɒlɪsɪs) /


noun
  1. chemical decomposition caused by light or other electromagnetic radiation: Compare radiolysis

Derived forms of photolysis

  • photolytic (ˌfəʊtəʊˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for photolysis

photolysis

[ fō-tŏlĭ-sĭs ]


  1. Chemical decomposition induced by light or other radiant energy. Photolysis plays an important role in photosynthesis, during which it produces energy by splitting water molecules into gaseous oxygen and hydrogen ions.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.