Photolysis is a chemical process where light energy, usually from the sun, breaks down molecules. This process is essential in various natural phenomena, such as photosynthesis, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In photolysis, specific wavelengths of light cause bonds within a molecule to break, resulting in smaller molecules or free radicals. This reaction is crucial in environmental processes, including the degradation of pollutants in the atmosphere and the formation of ozone in the stratosphere.