Photodissociation of Molecular Nitrogen (N2)

Photodissociation of nitrogen.
Animation courtesy COMET.

This movie shows how an ultraviolet (UV) photon can break apart a nitrogen molecule. When the photon hits the nitrogen molecule, it adds energy to the molecule. The extra energy breaks the bond between the two nitrogen atoms, and the atoms fly apart. This is called photodissociation.

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Photodissociation of Molecular Oxygen

Photodissociation of Water

Photodissociation of the Hydroxyl Radical

Last modified February 13, 2006 by Randy Russell.

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