Ultraviolet Waves

UV is a kind of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from 10 nm (corresponding frequency: 30 PHz) to 400 nm (750 THz), which is shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is found in sunshine and accounts for around 10% of the Sun’s total electromagnetic radiation output. Electric arcs and specialty lights, such as mercury-vapour lamps, tanning lamps, and black lights, can also produce it. Although long-wavelength ultraviolet can not ionise atoms because its photons lack the energy to do so, it can initiate chemical processes and make many things light or fluoresce. As a result, UV’s chemical and biological impacts outweigh its simple heating effects, and many of UV’s practical applications stem from interactions with organic molecules.

UV light with a short wavelength destroys DNA and sterilises surfaces it comes into contact with. Sunburn and suntan are common side effects of skin exposure to UV light in humans, as is an elevated risk of skin cancer. Because of the amount of UV light emitted by the Sun, the Earth would be unable to support life on dry land if the atmosphere did not filter away the majority of it. In most land vertebrates, including humans, ultraviolet radiation (particularly, UVB) is responsible for the production of vitamin D. As a result, the UV spectrum has both positive and destructive impacts on life. Human vision’s lower wavelength limit is usually taken to be 400 nm, therefore ultraviolet rays are invisible to us, yet we can sometimes sense light at shorter wavelengths. Near-UV (NUV) is visible to insects, birds, and some mammals (i.e., slightly shorter wavelengths than what humans can see). Air is ionised so powerfully by more intense, shorter-wavelength “extreme” UV below 121 nm that it is absorbed before it reaches the earth.

Overview

UV (ultraviolet) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light. The ultraviolet part of the spectrum has been divided into three regions by scientists: near-ultraviolet, far ultraviolet, and extreme ultraviolet. The three regions are distinguished by the amount of energy in the ultraviolet radiation, as well as the “wavelength” of the ultraviolet light, which is related to energy. The near-ultraviolet, also known as NUV, is the light that is closest to optical or visible light. The extreme ultraviolet, abbreviated EUV, is the most energetic of the three types of ultraviolet light and is the closest to X-rays. The far-ultraviolet, abbreviated FUV, is located between the near and extreme ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. It is the least investigated of the three. Our Sun emits light at all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, but it is ultraviolet waves that cause sunburns.

Ultraviolet radiation has wavelengths ranging from 400 nanometres on the visible-light side to 10 nanometres on the X-ray side, though some authorities extend the short-wavelength limit to 4 nm. UV radiation is traditionally classified into four regions in physics: near (400–300 nm), middle (300–200 nm), far (200–100 nm), and extreme (400–100 nm) (below 100 nm). The interaction of ultraviolet radiation wavelengths with biological materials has resulted in three classifications: UVA (400–315 nm), also known as black light; UVB (315–280 nm), which is responsible for the radiation’s best-known effects on organisms; and UVC (280–100 nm), which does not reach the Earth’s surface.

Most people cannot see ultraviolet rays. The lens of the human eye blocks the majority of radiation in the wavelength range of 300–400 nm, while the cornea blocks shorter wavelengths. Humans also lack ultraviolet ray colour receptor adaptations. Despite this, photoreceptors in the retina are sensitive to near-UV light, and people who lack a lens (a condition known as aphakia) perceive near-UV light as whitish-blue or whitish-violet. Under certain conditions, children and young adults can see ultraviolet wavelengths as low as 310 nm. Insects, some mammals, and some birds can see near-UV radiation. Birds have a fourth colour receptor for ultraviolet rays, which, when combined with eye structures that transmit more UV, allows smaller birds to have “true” UV vision.

Discovery of Ultraviolet Rays

The story of the discovery of ultraviolet rays is fascinating. During the 1800s, a man named Johann Ritter wanted to investigate the existence of light waves that were not visible to the naked eye. It was known at the time that photographic film turned black faster in blue light than in red light. Ritter exposed this film beyond violet, and it turned black as expected. This demonstrated the presence of ultraviolet rays. UV lamps emit enough radiation to kill germs. In the medical field, they are used to sterilise surgical instruments. UV rays are also used in the water purification and pharmaceutical industries.

Properties of Ultraviolet Waves

Ultraviolet is a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun that is transmitted as waves or particles with varying wavelengths and frequencies. The properties of ultraviolet waves are as follows:

• UV waves have wavelengths ranging from-1 x 10^-8 to -4 x 10^-7 meters.
• UV waves have a frequency range of -7.5 x 10¹⁴ to -3 x 10¹⁶ Hz.
• UV wavelengths are shorter than visible light wavelengths.
• Thick clouds have the ability to block UV rays.
• In hospitals and laboratories, UV lights are used to disinfect surfaces.
• The spectrum closest to visible light is the near-ultraviolet spectrum.
• The far-ultraviolet region is located between the near and extreme ultraviolet regions.

Uses of UV Rays

UV light is found in nature as a result of sunlight, and the use of sunlight is prevalent in all fields. It can be found in both commercial and industrial settings. UV lamps are commonly used in air purification, water treatment, skin treatment, indoor gardening, item identification, and other applications. UV rays are used in a variety of applications, from medical therapy to photography.

FAQs

How do ultraviolet waves function?

UV radiation is powerful enough to break chemical bonds. UV photons, due to their higher energies, can cause ionisation, which is the process by which electrons break away from atoms. The resulting vacancy alters the chemical properties of the atoms, causing them to form or break chemical bonds that they would not have formed otherwise.

What exactly are ultraviolet waves?

Along the electromagnetic spectrum, ultraviolet radiation is located between visible light and X-rays. UV light has wavelengths ranging from about 10 to 400 nanometers. Violet light has a wavelength of 400 nanometers (or 4,000).

What detects UV waves?

Ultraviolet can be detected by photodiodes and photocathodes that can be tuned to detect different parts of the UV spectrum. UV photomultipliers with high sensitivity are available. UV radiation is measured using spectrometers and radiometers. Across the spectrum, silicon detectors are used.