Definitions for "Radiolysis"
breakdown of matter due to ionizing radiation
molecular disintegration resulting from radiation
occurs when energetic particles (such as those from the Sun or cosmic rays from beyond the solar system) bombard a planetary object and break up molecules in the top layers of the surface. When the molecules rejoin they often form larger molecules. Thus, under the influence of radiolysis, the simplest hydrocarbon such as methane can be turned into complex organic materials.