what is the cause of the visible light that we see when something fluoresces? course hero

by Sincere Cruickshank 3 min read

Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore a lower photon energy, than the absorbed radiation.

Full Answer

What is fluorescence and how does it work?

Fluorescence is the ability of certain chemicals to give off visible light after absorbing radiation which is not normally visible, such as ultraviolet light. This property has led to a variety of uses. Let's shed some further light on this topic; consider the omnipresent "fluorescent" lights.

What does it mean when an atom fluoresce?

It displays the structured nature of the electrons in orbit around the nucleus of an atom. What is the cause of the visible light that we see when something fluoresces? The visible light is given off when electrons drop down to lower energy levels.

What is the cause of the visible light that we see?

What is the cause of the visible light that we see when something fluoresces? The visible light is given off when electrons drop down to lower energy levels. 8. The ionic bond is formed when

Do fluorescent minerals emit light?

Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore a lower photon energy, than the absorbed radiation.

Why is fluorescence often left in a higher vibrational level?

It is frequently due to non-radiative decay to the lowest vibrational energy level of the excited state. Another factor is that the emission of fluorescence frequently leaves a fluorophore in a higher vibrational level of the ground state.

How does fluorescence occur?

Fluorescence occurs when an excited molecule, atom, or nanostructure, relaxes to a lower energy state (usually the ground state) through emission of a photon without a change in electron spin. When the initial and final states have different multiplicity (spin), the phenomenon is termed phosphorescence .

Why does fluorescence have a longer wavelength than absorbed light?

This phenomenon, known as Stokes shift, is due to energy loss between the time a photon is absorbed and when a new one is emitted. The causes and magnitude of Stokes shift can be complex and are dependent on the fluorophore and its environment. However, there are some common causes. It is frequently due to non-radiative decay to the lowest vibrational energy level of the excited state. Another factor is that the emission of fluorescence frequently leaves a fluorophore in a higher vibrational level of the ground state.

How does fluorescent protein help corals?

Fluorescent proteins in corals may contribute to photosynthesis by converting otherwise unusable wavelengths of light into ones for which the coral's symbiotic algae are able to conduct photosynthesis. Also, the proteins may fluctuate in number as more or less light becomes available as a means of photoacclimation. Similarly, these fluorescent proteins may possess antioxidant capacities to eliminate oxygen radicals produced by photosynthesis. Finally, through modulating photosynthesis, the fluorescent proteins may also serve as a means of regulating the activity of the coral's photosynthetic algal symbionts.

What is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation?

Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation. The most striking example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in ...

Where is fluorescence visible?

The most striking example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and thus invisible to the human eye, while the emitted light is in the visible region, which gives the fluorescent substance a distinct color that can be seen only when exposed to UV light.

What is the name of the compound that causes fluorescence?

The chemical compound responsible for this fluorescence is matlaline, which is the oxidation product of one of the flavonoids found in this wood.

Why do the wavelengths of the visible light spectrum separate into the colors of the rainbow?

As the full spectrum of visible light travels through a prism, the wavelengths separate into the colors of the rainbow because each color is a different wavelength.

Why does the Sun's light turn yellow?

Our Sun produces more yellow light than any other color because its surface temperature is 5,500°C.

What would the Sun look like if it was hotter?

If the Sun were hotter—say, 12,000°C—it would look blue, like the star Rigel. Isaac Newton's experiment in 1665 showed that a prism bends visible light and that each color refracts at a slightly different angle depending on the wavelength of the color. Credit: Jenny Mottar; Image Courtesy of SOHO/consortium.

What is the graph of an object's reflectance called?

A graph of an object's reflectance across a spectrum is called a spectral signature . Spectral signatures of different Earth features within the visible light spectrum ARE shown below.

What is the wavelength of visible light?

More simply, this range of wavelengths is called visible light. Typically, the human eye can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers.

Is electromagnetic radiation light?

All electromagnetic radiation is light, but we can only see a small portion of this radiation—the portion we call visible light. Cone-shaped cells in our eyes act as receivers tuned to the wavelengths in this narrow band of the spectrum. Other portions of the spectrum have wavelengths too large or too small and energetic for ...

What is the ability of certain chemicals to give off visible light after absorbing radiation which is not normally visible?

Fluorescence is the ability of certain chemicals to give off visible light after absorbing radiation which is not normally visible, such as ultraviolet light. This property has led to a variety of uses.

What is the name of the compound that produces yellow-green fluorescent light?

One of the most amazing of all fluorescent materials is a synthetic compound, appropriately called fluorescein. Under ultraviolet light it produces an intense yellow-green fluorescence which during World War II was responsible for saving the lives of many downed flyers.

What is the mercury in fluorescent tubes?

Fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury vapor. The application of an electric current causes a stream of electrons to traverse the tube. These collide with the mercury atoms which become energized and consequently emit ultraviolet light.

What is the same idea used to produce color television pictures?

The same idea is used to produce color television pictures. The screen is coated with tiny dots of substances which fluoresce in different colours when they are excited by a beam of electrons which is used to scan the picture. But fluorescent materials had practical uses even before we dreamed of color television.

What vitamins are fluorescent?

Vitamin A and the B vitamins thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin are strongly fluorescent. Try crushing a vitamin B-12 tablet and dissolving it in vinegar. The solution will glow bright yellow under a black light.

Why do forensic scientists use ultraviolet light?

Forensic scientists use ultraviolet lights at crime scenes to find blood , urine, or semen. Blood does not glow under a black light, but it reacts with a chemical that does fluoresce, so it can be detected after this reaction using ultraviolet light at a crime scene.

What material glows under fluorescent light?

Many more items glow when exposed to black or ultraviolet light. Here is a partial list of other materials that glow: Petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline , glows a bright blue color under a fluorescent light. Uranium glass or vaseline glass. Rock salt.

What is black light?

There are a lot of everyday materials that fluoresce or glow when placed under a black light. A black light gives off highly energetic ultraviolet light. You can't see this part of the spectrum, which is how "black" lights got their name.

Why does tonic water glow under black light?

Tonic Water Glows Under Black Light. Science Photo Library / Getty Images. The bitter flavoring of tonic water is due to the presence of quinine, which glows blue-white when placed under a black light. You'll see the glow in both regular and diet tonic water.

What kind of light is black?

A black light gives off highly energetic ultraviolet light. You can't see this part of the spectrum, which is how "black" lights got their name. Fluorescent substances absorb the ultraviolet light and then re-emit it almost instantaneously.

Why does white clothing glow?

Even though clothing is rinsed after washing, residues on white clothing cause it to glow bluish-white under a black light. Blueing agents and softening agents often contain fluorescent dyes, too. The presence of these molecules sometimes causes white clothing to appear blue in photographs.

History

Image
An early observation of fluorescence was described in 1560 by Bernardino de Sahagún and in 1565 by Nicolás Monardes in the infusion known as lignum nephriticum (Latin for "kidney wood"). It was derived from the wood of two tree species, Pterocarpus indicus and Eysenhardtia polystachya. The chemical compo…
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Physical Principles

  • Mechanism
    Fluorescence occurs when an excited molecule, atom, or nanostructure, relaxes to a lower energy state (usually the ground state) through emission of a photon without a change in electron spin. When the initial and final states have different multiplicity (spin), the phenomenon is termed pho…
  • Quantum yield
    The fluorescence quantum yieldgives the efficiency of the fluorescence process. It is defined as the ratio of the number of photons emitted to the number of photons absorbed. 1. Φ = Number of photons emitted Number of photons absorbed {\displaystyle \Phi ={\frac {\text{Number of phot…
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Rules

  • There are several general rules that deal with fluorescence. Each of the following rules has exceptions but they are useful guidelines for understanding fluorescence (these rules do not necessarily apply to two-photon absorption).
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in Nature

  • There are many natural compounds that exhibit fluorescence, and they have a number of applications. Some deep-sea animals, such as the greeneye, have fluorescent structures.
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in Novel Technology

  • In August 2020 researchers reported the creation of the brightest fluorescent solid optical materials so far by enabling the transfer of properties of highly fluorescent dyes via spatial and electronic isolation of the dyes by mixing cationic dyes with anion-binding cyanostar macrocycles. According to a co-author these materials may have applications in areas such as solar energy h…
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Applications

  • Lighting
    The common fluorescent lamp relies on fluorescence. Inside the glass tube is a partial vacuum and a small amount of mercury. An electric discharge in the tube causes the mercury atoms to emit mostly ultraviolet light. The tube is lined with a coating of a fluorescent material, called the …
  • Analytical chemistry
    Many analytical procedures involve the use of a fluorometer, usually with a single exciting wavelength and single detection wavelength. Because of the sensitivity that the method affords, fluorescent molecule concentrations as low as 1 part per trillion can be measured. Fluorescenc…
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Bibliography

  • Lakowicz, Joseph R. (1999). Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers. ISBN 978-0-387-31278-1.
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External Links