Phosphorescence is longer-lived than fluorescence. The transisition probablility is much greater for fluorescence so the life time is 1.0 x 10^5 longer for phosphorescence because the probablitiy for the electron to go to the lower state is 1.0 x 10^5 lower. 1.0 X 10^-9 s (1.0 x 10^5) = 1 x 10-4 s Solution Phosphorescence is longer-lived than fluorescence. The transisition probablility is much greater for fluorescence so the life time is 1.0 x 10^5 longer for phosphorescence because the probablitiy for the electron to go to the lower state is 1.0 x 10^5 lower. 1.0 X 10^-9 s (1.0 x 10^5) = 1 x 10-4 s.