Photochemistry is the study of chemical reactions involving light, including interactions between photons and molecules. It is interdisciplinary and involves the study of various areas of the spectrum. Examples include photosynthesis, bioluminescence, and photography. Training courses and departments are available in colleges and universities.
Photochemistry is a branch in the field of chemistry that focuses on the study of chemical reactions involving light, both because light serves as a catalyst for reactions and because the reactions produce light. At a more detailed level, it could be said to involve the study of interactions between photons and molecules. This field is highly interdisciplinary, with people in disciplines such as biology and physics interested in various aspects of photochemistry.
Photochemical reactions can take place in various ways. When molecules absorb a photon, they become excited, which can trigger a response such as isomerization, where the atoms in a molecule rearrange themselves, or a simple emission of light, or the breaking or forging of chemical bonds. Some chemical reactions can also cause the emission of photons, another topic of interest in photochemistry and among mad scientists, if the glowing glasses in popular movies are any indication.
In addition to studying light in the visible spectrum, photochemists also examine infrared, ultraviolet and other areas of the spectrum. Emissions from different areas of the spectrum can be involved in very different types of reactions, making spectroscopy an important part of photochemistry. Research typically takes place in a laboratory setting, where people have access to very sensitive equipment that can be used to make observations and conduct experiments.
A common example of photochemistry is photosynthesis, the technique used by plants to generate energy from light, using the sun as a catalyst for chemical reactions that take place within the plant. Bioluminescence, another natural phenomenon, is another excellent example of photochemistry at work; animals use bioluminescence for everything from signaling other organisms, as fireflies appear to do, to attracting prey, as seen with anglerfish in the ocean. Photography also relies on the principles of photochemistry, from the use of photosensitive compounds on film that react when exposed to light to the use of stop and fixer in the developing room to stop the photosensitive reactions that occur in coatings used on photographic paper .
Numerous colleges and universities offer photochemistry training courses to students in their chemistry departments, and some have entire departments devoted to the study of photochemistry. Individuals interested in this field may work in a range of environments, depending on their interests and educational attainment. Work as a photochemist is admittedly rarely boring, thanks to the myriad topics that can be explored.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
