Question

Identify the element whose compounds show phosphorescence.

Answer 1

Luminescence:

1. Fluorescence and phosphorescence are two forms of photoluminescence.
2. The three major forms of luminescence are: fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence.
3. During photoluminescence the glow of the substance is triggered by the photons of light itself.
4. Whereas in chemiluminescence the substance glows due to a chemical reaction.

Phosphorescence:

1. The process of releasing energy relatively slower than it is absorbed in the form of light is known as Phosphorescence
2. Examples include glow-in-the-dark stars, some safety signs, and glowing paint.
3. Phosphorescence involved the absorption of light by a material which increases the energy levels of electrons into an excited state.
4. However, the energy of the light doesn’t quite match up with the energy of allowed excited states, so the absorbed photos get stuck in a triplet state.
5. Transitions to a lower and more stable energy state take time, but when they occur, light is released.
6. Because this release occurs slowly, a phosphorescent material appears to glow in the dark.

Therefore, the phosphorus compounds that store and emits light energy are known as phosphorescent and show phosphorescence.