photochemical etymology

Etymology:

The term "photochemical" is derived from three Greek words:

  • Photo- meaning "light"
  • Chem- meaning "related to chemistry"
  • -ical meaning "pertaining to"

Meaning and Origin:

Photochemistry refers to the study of chemical reactions that are initiated or influenced by light. It is a branch of chemistry that investigates the interactions between light and chemical substances. The field originated in the late 19th century, when scientists began to study the effects of light on photographic materials and other chemical systems.

Photochemical reactions typically involve the absorption of light energy by a molecule, leading to changes in its electronic structure. These changes can trigger chemical reactions that would not occur in the absence of light. Photochemical reactions are widely used in various applications, including:

  • Photography
  • Solar energy conversion
  • Environmental remediation
  • Medical imaging
  • Optical communication

Key figures in the development of photochemistry include:

  • Johannes Stark (1874-1957): Proposed the theory of the photoelectric effect
  • Max Volmer (1885-1965): Pioneered the study of photochemical reactions in liquids
  • Ronald George Wreyford Norrish (1897-1978): Conducted groundbreaking research on photochemical reactions in the gas phase
  • Gerhard Herzberg (1904-1999): Investigated the spectroscopy and photochemistry of molecules

photochemical relate terms

  • chemical

    Etymology of Chemical The word chemical originates from the Arabic word al kīmiyā

  • alchemy

    Etymology Alchemy comes from the Medieval Latin word alchemia which is derived from th

  • photo

    Etymology The word photo is derived from the Greek word phōs which means light

  • inspire

    Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i

  • ketchup

    Etymology The word ketchup is derived from the Chinese word kê tsiap which means b

  • intervention

    Etymology Latin intervenire to come between Inter between venire to come

  • moot

    Etymology The word moot derives from the Middle English term mōt which originated f

  • paraphernalia

    Etymology of Paraphernalia The word paraphernalia is derived from Late Latin paraph

  • Sabbath

    Etymology The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word shabbat pronounced shab BAHT

  • atheist

    Etymology and Meaning Origin Greek A prefix Meaning without or not Theos roo

  • constellation

    Etymology The word constellation is derived from the Latin word constellatio which

  • epiphany

    Etymology From Late Latin epiphania from Greek ἐπιφάνεια epiphaneia meani