N2O adsorbed on a Pt(111) surface was irradiated by UV light from a mercury arc lamp. The photochemistry of N2O was studied by XPS, UPS, and TPD. Upon irradiation at 50 K, adsorbed N2O undergoes dissociation and desorption. Photon energies exceeding 4.35 eV are required. The cross section is in the range of 10(-19)-10(-20) cm2. The data are adequately described with a model involving subvacuum hot electrons.