The photoacoustic (PA) signal waveform in a condensed phase with pulsed laser excitation is theoretically calculated. When there exist fast and slow deactivation processes from the excited state, the PA signal waveform depends upon the decay rate constant and the relative contribution of the slow decay process. The calculated result is confirmed experimentally by using the probe beam deflection technique to determine the quantum yield of triplet formation and the triplet lifetime of quinoxaline in benzene.