The breakup of a molecule by the absorption of light with enough energy to break the molecular bonds.
The cleavage of a molecule into two or more (smaller) atomic or molecular fragments through the absorption of radiant energy (most often from the Sun).
The splitting of a molecule by photon normally from the sun.
Fragmentation of a molecule into two or more components, which may or may not be charged, as a consequence of absorption of a photon (interaction with electromagnetic radiation).
Photodissociation (or photolysis) is a chemical reaction in which a chemical compound is broken down by photons. Photodissociation is not limited to visible light, but to have enough energy to break up a molecule; the photon is likely to be an electromagnetic wave with the energy of visible light or higher, such as ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays. The direct process is defined as the interaction of one photon interacting with one target molecule.