You must often hear about Ultraviolet light or we call it UV. But do you know everything about this ray?
UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that makes the black light glow. It causes our skin to 'burn' sun exposure. But if exposed to too much UV radiation, our body tissue can be damaged.
Electromagnetic radiation comes from the sun and is emitted in waves or particles at different wavelengths and frequencies. This wide range is known as the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. The spectrum is divided into seven types based on decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency, ie radio waves, microwave, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are in the range between visible light and X-rays. The frequency ranges from 8 × 1014 to 3 × 1016 cycles per second or hertz (Hz). The wavelength is 380 nanometers (1.5 × 10-5 inches) to about 10 nm (4 × 10-7 inches).
UV radiation has enough energy to break chemical bonds. Because of its height, UV photons can cause ionization, a process in which electrons are split from atoms. It can be used to process chemicals or can damage material and living tissue. Damage that could be harmful as well as profitable. It can damage the skin and eyes. But UV light can also be a disinfectant.
You should know that most of the UV rays we face come from the Sun. But only 10 percent of the sun's light is UV light, and only a third of it penetrates the atmosphere to reach Earth.
If exposed to UV light too long, your body's defense system will be disturbed and give birth to a toxic reaction that causes your skin to burn. UV rays can damage DNA in body cells, the body detects this damage and floods it with blood to heal. But your skin will be inflamed and flushed. It's also sore.
Sometimes, cells with mutated DNA from sunlight, will turn into problems. At worst, the cell then grows to cancer.