Final answer:
In fluorescence, energy is immediately converted into heat as excited electrons release part of their absorbed energy through nonradiative decay, followed by the emission of lower-energy light when they return to the ground state.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the process of fluorescence, part of the input energy immediately converts into heat. During this process, an atom absorbs a high-energy photon, causing one of its electrons to get excited to a higher energy level. Afterward, the excited electron releases energy in two ways: by nonradiative decay, where the energy is lost to molecular vibrations as heat, and then by radiative decay, where it emits light of a lower energy than the absorbed photon as it returns to the ground state. The emission of this lower-energy light is the characteristic glow observed in fluorescent materials. It's important to note that fluorescence differs from the photoelectric effect, which involves the ejection of electrons, and does not initiate a chemical reaction. Fluorescent substances can be used in a range of applications such as fluorescent lighting, where electrical energy excites electrons in the bulb, causing them to fluoresce and emit visible light.