phosphorescence (redirected from Glow in the dark)

phos·pho·res·cence (fsf-rsns)

n.

1. Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.

2. Emission of light without burning or by very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation of phosphorous.

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phospho·rescent adj.

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phosphorescence

[fos′fôres′əns]

Etymology: Gk, phos, light, pherein, to bear

1 a glow of yellow phosphorus caused by slow oxidation.

2 the emission of visible light without accompanying heat as observed in phosphorus that has been exposed to radiation, which continues beyond a few nanoseconds after radiation has ceased.

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phosphorescence (fos″fores´ns),

adj the seeming ability to glow in the dark; occurs in substances that continue to emit light following exposure to and subsequent removal of a radiation source.

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phosphorescence

the emission of light without appreciable heat; it is characterized by the emission of absorbed light after a delay and at a considerably longer wavelength than that of the absorbed light. Caused by a number of bacteria, especially in seawater. One of them, Pseudomonas phosphorescens, may infect coldrooms via infected fish but does not constitute decomposition so that phosphorescent meat is still edible.

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phosphorescence 

Luminescence that persists for some time after the exciting stimulus has ceased.