What happens when a molecular absorbs a photon? What would happen afterwards? Ph

Question

What happens when a molecular absorbs a photon? What would happen afterwards?

Physical processes that can occur after a molecule absorbs an ultraviolet or visible photon. S_0 is the ground electronic state. S_1 and T_1 are the lowest excited singlet and triplet electronic states. Straight arrows represent processes involving photons, and wavy arrows are radiation less transitions. R denotes vibrational relaxation. Absorption could terminate in any of the vibrational levels of S_1, not just the one shown. Fluorescence and phosphorescence can terminate in any of the vibrational levels of S_0.

Explanation / Answer

When a molecule absorbs a photon, the molecle is promoted to a more energetic excited state. Conversely, when a molecule emits a photon, the energy of the molecule falls by an amount equal to the energy of the photon.

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