photolysis
noun
pho·tol·y·sis
fō-ˈtä-lə-səs 
: chemical decomposition by the action of radiant energy (such as light)
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But sunlight in the upper atmosphere is continuously breaking down the gas by photolysis, so some process must be slowly replacing it.
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Davide Castelvecchi, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2010
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Davide Castelvecchi, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2010
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“Photolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photolysis. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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photolysis
noun
pho·tol·y·sis
fō-ˈtäl-ə-səs
plural photolyses
-ˌsēz
: chemical decomposition by the action of radiant energy compare radiolysis
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