photodissociate
/ˌfoʊtoʊdɪˈsoʊʃieɪt/
verb
- To break apart a molecule into smaller parts using light energy.
- Ultraviolet light can photodissociate ozone molecules in the atmosphere.
- When sunlight hits certain pollutants, it can photodissociate them into less harmful substances.
- In the lab, researchers photodissociate water molecules to study hydrogen production.