PHOTOCHEMICAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does photochemical mean? 

• PHOTOCHEMICAL (adjective)
  The adjective PHOTOCHEMICAL has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to or produced by the effects of light on chemical systems

  Familiarity information: PHOTOCHEMICAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHOTOCHEMICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or produced by the effects of light on chemical systems

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

photochemistry (branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of light)

Derivation:

photochemistry (branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical action of light)

 Context examples 

Unlike Earth's water-clouds, the clouds on these planets may be composed of salt crystals or photochemical hazes, like those found on Saturn's largest moon, Titan.

('Cotton Candy' Planet Mysteries Unravel in New Hubble Observations, NASA)

About 5 to 10 times more neutral particles could be lost through a process called photochemical escape, which happens when UV radiation breaks apart molecules in the upper atmosphere.

(Mars Mission Sheds Light on Habitability of Distant Planets, NASA)

Now, Gordon Taylor of Stony Brook University and colleagues have devised a photochemical technique that suppresses fluorescence in sample preparation.

(Cell chemistry illuminated by laser light, National Science Foundation)

Oxybenzone absorbs UVB and UVA II rays, resulting in a photochemical excitation and absorption of energy.

(Oxybenzone, NCI Thesaurus)

Found in the atmosphere as a key ingredient in photochemical formation of smog and acid rain, Nitrogen Dioxide is a poisonous gas that forms during combustion.

(Nitrogen Dioxide, NCI Thesaurus)

When exposed to light, aminobenzoic acid (para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA) absorbs UV light and emits excess energy via a photochemical reaction that may cause damage to DNA.

(Aminobenzoic acid, NCI Thesaurus)

This photo-oxidation process (also known as photochemical "weathering") is similar to the process that causes paint on cars or colors on clothes to fade if they are left out in the sun for too long.

(Sunlight reduces effectiveness of dispersants used to clean up oil spills, National Science Foundation)

Taylor and his team demonstrate how their photochemical technique overcomes challenges presented by biological samples, and figuratively "tears down the fluorescent curtain."

(Cell chemistry illuminated by laser light, National Science Foundation)