How does the strength of fluorescence relate to light absorption?

The strength of fluorescence is directly proportional to light absorption because fluorescence occurs when a substance absorbs photons and subsequently re-emits them at a longer wavelength. When a material absorbs light, it gets energized, and this energy can lead to the emission of light as it returns to a lower energy state. The more efficiently a substance absorbs light, the stronger the fluorescence will typically be; thus, an increase in absorption correlates with an increase in fluorescence intensity.

In practical terms, if a compound has a high absorption coefficient for a certain wavelength of light, it is likely to fluoresce strongly when illuminated with that light. Conversely, if it absorbs very little light, the resulting fluorescence will also be minimal. This relationship is foundational in fields like forensic science, where identifying substances based on their fluorescence properties after absorption of light can aid in crime scene investigations.