Exposure to sunlight increases the rate of which process affecting pesticides?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Photodegradation
• C. Evaporation
• D. Filtration

Answer: (B)

Sunlight provides energy that directly breaks chemical bonds in many pesticide molecules, speeding their breakdown through a process called photodegradation. When pesticides are exposed to light, especially ultraviolet light, they absorb energy and undergo chemical reactions that fragment the molecules into smaller compounds. This is the main way sunlight influences pesticide fate, reducing how long the chemical persists in the environment. Photosynthesis is a plant process and not a degradation pathway for pesticides. Evaporation is driven by temperature and vapor pressure, not light-driven chemical breakdown, and filtration is a physical removal process, not affected by sunlight.