Frequently Asked Question

Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.

What is the difference between fluorescence and phosphorescence

Accepted Answer

Fluorescence and phosphorescence are both forms of luminescence, where a substance emits light after absorbing energy. The key difference lies in the energy states involved:

Fluorescence: The absorbed energy excites an electron to a higher energy level, and it quickly returns to its ground state, emitting a photon of light. This process is rapid, typically lasting less than 10^-8 seconds.
Phosphorescence: After absorbing energy, the electron transitions to a higher energy level and then falls into a metastable excited state called a triplet state. This state is longer-lived than the singlet state in fluorescence, and the electron can stay in this state for seconds or even minutes before returning to the ground state, emitting a photon of light. This delayed emission is what gives phosphorescence its characteristic "glow-in-the-dark" effect.


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