Phosphorescence, why is it temp related?

[wacki]

Temperature, as I understand it, is the measure of the force atoms exert. Basically, the mass of an atoms nucleus (electrons are puny things), times the atoms speed. So, how does temperature affect the spin/level of the electrons in phosphorescent chemicals? Is it all infra-red, or is it more?

 

[silverpig]

The energy required to knock electrons out of their orbital state is affected because the other atoms smashing into each other may provide some of that energy. If you have a single atom sitting there, then you have to do 100% of the work required to excite a single electron. If the atom is running into other stuff and getting jarred around a lot, then you might only have to put in 60% of the required energy as the rest comes from thermal excitation.