Question

The absorbance of invisible, UV light by a compound and the subsequent release by that

compound of some of the energy as longer, visible light wavelengths is known as _____________.
A) fluorochrome
B) luminescence
C) fluorescence
D) fluorophore
E) phosphorescence

Answer 1

A) fluorochrome The process by which a compound absorbs UV light and releases it as visible light is known as fluorescence, which is used in various applications like making clothes brighter and enhancing microscopy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenomenon where a compound absorbs invisible, UV light and then releases some of the absorbed energy as visible light of longer wavelengths is known as fluorescence. The excited electrons in the compound absorb high-energy photons, elevating to higher atomic states, and when they return to their ground state, they emit lower-energy photons.

This process is different from phosphorescence, where there is a delay before the photons are emitted, making substances glow in the dark. The terms fluorochrome and fluorophore refer to molecules that can cause the fluorescent effect, rather than the effect itself.

It is important to note that fluorescence allows for the practical applications such as the ability for fluorescent dyes in clothes to appear brighter in sunlight, as well as the use of fluorescence in scientific techniques such as microscopy to enhance contrast and resolution.