What does phosphorescence mean?

Definitions for phosphorescence
ˌfɒs fəˈrɛs ənsphos·pho·res·cence

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word phosphorescence.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. phosphorescencenoun

    a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased

GCIDE

  1. Phosphorescencenoun

    The process of phosphorescing, especially that of emitting light after a source of excitation has been removed. This contrasts with the process of fluorescence, in which a substance emits light of a lower wavelength than the illuminating light, only while the illumination continues.

Wiktionary

  1. phosphorescencenoun

    The emission of light without any perceptible heat; the quality of being phosphorescent.

  2. Etymology: From phosphorescent

Wikipedia

  1. Phosphorescence

    Phosphorescence is a type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. When exposed to light (radiation) of a shorter wavelength, a phosphorescent substance will glow, absorbing the light and reemitting it at a longer wavelength. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately reemit the radiation it absorbs. Instead, a phosphorescent material absorbs some of the radiation energy and reemits it for a much longer time after the radiation source is removed. In a general sense, there is no distinct boundary between the emission times of fluorescence and phosphorescence (i.e.: if a substance glows under a black light it is generally considered fluorescent, and if it glows in the dark it is often simply called phosphorescent). In a modern, scientific sense, the phenomena can usually be classified by the three different mechanisms that produce the light, and the typical timescales during which those mechanisms emit light. Whereas fluorescent materials stop emitting light within nanoseconds (billionths of a second) after the excitation radiation is removed, phosphorescent materials may continue to emit an afterglow ranging from a few microseconds to many hours after the excitation is removed.There are two separate mechanisms that may produce phosphorescence, called triplet phosphorescence (or simply phosphorescence) and persistent phosphorescence (or persistent luminescence). Triplet phosphorescence occurs when an atom absorbs a high-energy photon, and the energy becomes locked in the spin multiplicity of the electrons, generally changing from a fluorescent "singlet state" to a slower emitting "triplet state". The slower timescales of the reemission are associated with "forbidden" energy state transitions in quantum mechanics. As these transitions occur relatively slowly in certain materials, absorbed radiation is reemitted at a lower intensity, ranging from a few microseconds to as much as one second after the excitation is removed.On the other hand, persistent phosphorescence occurs when a high-energy photon is absorbed by an atom and its electron becomes trapped in a defect in the lattice of the crystalline or amorphous material. A defect such as a missing atom (vacancy defect) can trap an electron like a pitfall, storing that electron's energy until released by a random spike of thermal (vibrational) energy. Such a substance will then emit light of gradually decreasing intensity, ranging from a few seconds to up to several hours after the original excitation.Everyday examples of phosphorescent materials are the glow-in-the-dark toys, stickers, paint and clock dials that glow after being charged with a bright light such as in any normal reading or room light. Typically, the glow slowly fades out, sometimes within a few minutes or up to a few hours in a dark room.The study of phosphorescent materials led to the discovery of radioactive decay.

ChatGPT

  1. phosphorescence

    Phosphorescence is a type of photoluminescence, where materials emit light after being charged by a source of energy, such as ultraviolet light. This emission of light continues even after the energy source is removed, unlike fluorescence which stops as soon as the energy source is removed. The light emitted is typically a soft glow, often seen in the dark. Phosphorescence is used in many applications such as glow-in-the-dark toys, clock dials, and safety signs.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Phosphorescencenoun

    the quality or state of being phosphorescent; or the act of phosphorescing

  2. Phosphorescencenoun

    a phosphoric light

  3. Etymology: [Cf. F. phosphorescence.]

Wikidata

  1. Phosphorescence

    Phosphorescence is a specific type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately re-emit the radiation it absorbs. The slower time scales of the re-emission are associated with "forbidden" energy state transitions in quantum mechanics. As these transitions occur very slowly in certain materials, absorbed radiation may be re-emitted at a lower intensity for up to several hours after the original excitation. Commonly seen examples of phosphorescent materials are the glow-in-the-dark toys, paint, and clock dials that glow for some time after being charged with a bright light such as in any normal reading or room light. Typically the glowing then slowly fades out within minutes in a dark room. The study of phosphorescent materials led to the discovery of radioactivity in 1896. Ironically, white phosphorus, from which phosphorescence takes it name, does not actually exhibit this property, but rather, chemiluminescence.

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

  1. Phosphorescence

    The emission of light rays by a substance not heated, but whose luminosity is due to the persistence of luminous vibration after light has fallen upon it. A phosphorescent body, after exposure to light, is luminous itself. Phosphorescence may be induced by rubbing or friction, by heat, by molecular bombardment, as in Crookes' tubes, and by static discharge of electricity, as well as by simple exposure to light. Another form of phosphorescence may be due to slow chemical combustion. This is the cause of the luminosity of phosphorous.

Editors Contribution

  1. Phosphorescence

    Is a process in which energy absorbed by a form of matter is released in the form of light.

    Phosphorescence in some cases is the mechanism of glow-in-the-dark materials and some types of luminescent paint.


    Submitted by MaryC on November 20, 2015  

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of phosphorescence in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of phosphorescence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of phosphorescence in a Sentence

  1. Haniel Long:

    In youth the human body drew me and was the object of my secret and natural dreams. But body after body has taken away from me that sensual phosphorescence which my youth delighted in. Within me is no disturbing interplay now, but only the steady currents of adaptation and of sympathy.

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Translations for phosphorescence

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"phosphorescence." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/phosphorescence>.

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