Phosphorescent materials are substances that can absorb light energy and re-emit it over an extended period, even after the source of excitation is removed. This process involves the transition of electrons to a metastable state, allowing the material to glow for a while, distinguishing them from fluorescent materials, which emit light only while being excited. The phenomenon showcases how certain materials can store energy and release it gradually, highlighting important principles of energy transfer and electronic states.
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