Photochemistry Laws Explained: Grothus-Draper to Franck-Condon

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Photochemistry Basics
Real-world Examples
Photo vs Thermal
Grotthuss Law
Stark-Einstein Law
Beer-Lambert Law
Franck-Condon Principle

Photochemistry Basics

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    Defines photochemistry as light-matter interaction, using UV-visible light.

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    Distinguishes photochemical activation with light from thermal activation with heat.

Understanding the dual nature of light, specifically the concept of photons and the energy equation (E = hν).
Basic knowledge of molecular electronic structures, including ground states, excited states, and electronic transitions.
Familiarity with potential energy curves for diatomic molecules (harmonic and anharmonic oscillator models).
Fundamental concepts of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics, including activation energy and reaction rates.
Basic principles of spectrophotometry, specifically how light interacts with matter and is absorbed.
Detailed study of Jablonski diagrams to map out radiative (fluorescence, phosphorescence) and non-radiative decay pathways.
Calculation and application of quantum yield (Φ) to determine the efficiency of photochemical processes.
Exploration of specific organic photochemical reactions, such as Norrish Type I/II reactions and photoisomerizations.
Investigation of practical applications in photocatalysis, solar energy conversion, and photodynamic therapy.
Introduction to ultrafast spectroscopy techniques, such as femtosecond transient absorption, to observe Franck-Condon state dynamics in real-time.
635 views17likes50:18@pgchemistrylectures177Original Release: 2022-11-25

Photochemistry is the study of light-matter interactions, where UV-visible light (200-800 nm) excites organic molecules to form intermediates and products. The Grotthuss-Draper Law states that only absorbed radiation produces photochemical changes. The Stark-Einstein Law (Law of Photochemical Equivalence) states that one molecule absorbs only one photon for excitation, with quantum yield (Φ) defined as molecules reacted divided by photons absorbed. Beer-Lambert Law describes light absorption: A = εcL, where absorbance is proportional to concentration and path length. The Franck-Condon Principle explains that electronic transitions occur so rapidly that internuclear distances remain unchanged during excitation, due to the nucleus being approximately 1000 times heavier than electrons.