When an ultraviolet photon strikes an oxygen molecule, it photodissociates the molecule into two separate oxygen atoms.
Images courtesy COMET.

A photon of UV "light" hits an oxygen molecule. The energy from the photon breaks the molecule apart. It becomes two separate oxygen atoms. This is an example of photodissociation.
Images courtesy COMET.

A photon hits an oxygen molecule. The energy from the photon breaks the molecule apart. The molecule becomes two separate oxygen atoms. This is an example of photodissociation.
Images courtesy COMET.

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