What are they?
Ultraviolet radiation is located in between visible light and X-rays in the EM spectrum. UV rays contain more energy than visible light but less than X-rays. Because of its higher frequencies, it can cause chemical changes in many substances including living cells.
UV rays are emitted by the sun in sunlight but some of the more harmful rays are blocked by a particular layer in the Earth's atmosphere, known as the Ozone. Oxygen molecules in the air absorb these rays which makes Earth safer for life. The effects UV waves have on humans can be obvious on our skin. Over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from direct sunlight affects our skin, causing sunburns, suntans, and skin cancer. UV rays have the potential to damage living organisms as they are absorbed by the cells on the surface, harming their DNA. UV rays can also blind and damage the eyes if you keep looking at it directly. To add, UV waves are beneficial in small amounts as it induces the production of vitamin D in the skin (an essential vitamin rarely consumed in our diets) which has positive health effects including bone health and immunity to certain diseases. |
Applications
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- Fluorescent:
- Sterilisation and disinfection:
- Astronomy:
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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