How are Ultraviolet Waves Implied in Physics

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic radiation that makes black-light posters glow, and it is also the main reason behind summer tans and sunburns on human skin. Extreme exposure to UV radiation is damaging to living tissue. The sun transmits electromagnetic radiation; it is transmitted in waves or particles at different wavelengths and frequencies. This wide range of wavelengths is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. The spectrum is divided into increasing and decreasing order of its wavelength and frequencies. The common designation is radio waves, microwaves, infrared, UV rays, gamma rays, X-rays and visible light. 

What are Ultraviolet Rays

It is a type of electromagnetic radiation present all around us, but our eyes can never see it. Our bodies utilise it to make Vitamin D, with more sun intake, but too much exposure can lead to skin burns and cancer. Although Ultraviolet lights are dangerous, they can be used for multiple benefits like identifying biological material, like blood, a crime scene, and in places where sanitation is important; the biggest natural source of ultraviolet rays is the sun. 

The sun’s rays are electromagnetic waves; depending on their wavelength, the light appears in different colours, but they are also invisible components like ultraviolet light or, more precisely, UV radiation. UV radiation is classified by wavelength into three different categories: 

• UV-C radiation gets trapped in the ozone layer of the atmosphere, but 5% of UV-B radiation can get through, and up to 95% of UVA radiation can get through without anything stopping it. 

• It means UV radiation is always present in summer, winter or even when it is cloudy. 

• UV lights benefit humans, such as triggering Vitamin D production, but UV radiation can also be very harmful; it can cause sun allergies and sunburn, which increases the risk of skin cancer. 

• UV rays can also cause sunburn near the cornea, called photokeratitis. Some of the other negative aspects of prolonged UV exposure include accelerated skin ageing, which is caused by UVA radiation, and it can also cause eye diseases such as cataracts. This contributes to nearly 10% of blindness worldwide, but the UV intensity always depends on the day, time, region and elevation. 

UVA UV index scale also helps maintain the UV index sale; if the level is between 1 and 2, no protection is required. But definite protection is required when it is between 3 and 7, and if it reaches the highest UV index, which is above seven, you need more protection. To find out the current UV index in a certain place, you can search it in a weather forecast or download an app to get an idea about it.

Wavelength and frequency of ultraviolet rays

The wavelength and frequency of all the electromagnetic waves differ because they travel at different speeds through the vacuum. The frequency of a wave can be stated by the number of times it repeats in a second. Its unit is Hertz, and in the case of electromagnetic waves, the wavelength is measured in nanometers. The ultraviolet rays have a short wavelength compared to visible light, which is why we cannot see UV rays with naked eyes. 

The rays are present in wavelengths that range from 10 nanometers to around 400 nanometers. The frequency of UV rays ranges between 800THz to 30PHz. In physics, the UV radiation is divided into four regions: 

• Near (between 300-400 nm)

• Middle (between 300-300 nm) 

• Far (between 200-100 nm) 

• Extreme (below 100 nm)

The UV radiations are also divided into three types:

• UVA (between 400 nm-315 nm)

• UVB (between 315 nm- 280 nm)

• UVC (between 280 nm- 100 nm)

These three radiations and their wavelength and frequency differ in their biological activity and to an extent where they harm the skin—the smaller the wavelength, the more harmful UV radiation. 

Conclusion

As stated above, ultraviolet rays are types of electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves are completely different from the waves you see in the water because these waves don’t need anything to travel through; these waves are made of pure energy, so they can travel to space. The waves also move fast, travelling through space at the speed of light. All the visible colours of light, microwaves, UV rays, X-rays, and radio waves are all electromagnetic waves; the difference between them is their wavelength and frequency.