Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/sun and whitening

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Expert: - 4/19/2005


Question
i am curious about how the sun bleaches color.  here is how it came up:  my mom sent me a valentine on red construction paper.  i live in the high desert.  i left it on the dash and within weeks it was light pink.  now, two months later, it is pale yellow.  what is it about sun light that bleaches the color out of this paper?  thanks so much.  i am curious to see your answer.  peace, elle

Answer
The photons in the light react with the dye to break apart the molecule to colorless compounds or different colors.

http://www.hs.wisd.org/ddaughenbaugh/Notes/chemistry_of_fading.htm

http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/lightfastness.shtml

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/charters/fading.html  

Chemistry (including Biochemistry)

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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