Margo McCullough, Reza Nadaf, Grace Cooper

UV BEAD LAB
Problem/Background:
Ultraviolet or U.V. rays are electromagnetic rays with a wavelength longer than Xrays but
shorter than the visible light spectrum(see figure 1). These rays are present in sunlight and in
some artificial sources (examples: welding machines, tanning beds and lasers) , and can cause
many harmful results in humans, and a few helpful ones. Harmful results from U.V. rays include,
early aging of the skin, a deficiency of a persons immune system, damage to eyes, and skin
cancer. The beneficial results are that the U.V rays trigger the formation vitamin d, which
strengthens bones.
The sun emits all wavelengths of U.V. radiation, including extreme ultraviolet radiation
which crosses X-rays at 10 nanometers (1 nanometer equals 1 billionth of a meter). About 77%
of U.V. radiation is obstructed by the earths atmosphere. U.V.C. rays(see figure 3), the most
dangerous of U.V. rays are completely obscured by the earths atmosphere(see figure 2). U.V.B.
rays cause delayed tanning and burning; and in addition to these short term effects it speeds
skin ageing and significantly promotes the development of skin cancer, most U.V.B. rays are
filtered out through the earths atmosphere. U.V.A. rays account for about 95% of the U.V. rays
reaching the surface of the earth, the longest of the U.V. rays and therefore less dangerous,
cause immediate tanning and can contribute to skin ageing.
There are many means of protecting oneself from U.V. radiation some of the most
common, and effective, include clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Dark, tightly woven, dry
clothing block out more U.V. radiation than lighter, loosely woven, wet clothing, although
covering up does not block out all radiation. Sunglasses protect against the harmful effects U.V.
rays have on eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes, ideal sunglasses should block around
99-100% of U.V.A. and U.V.B. rays. Sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to block U.V.
rays, ideal sunscreen should protect against U.V.A. and U.V.A. rays (broad spectrum) and
should have a S.P.F. (sun protection factor) higher than 30, no sunscreen protects against U.V.
rays completely. It is also advisable to wear eye protection and sunscreen when skiing or doing
other snow sports as snow is very efficient at reflecting snow.

Figure 1

http://munsell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/increasing-energy-wavelength-visible-light-graph.jpg

Figure 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet

Figure 3

https://www.jnjvisioncare.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/uk/images/in_page/uv-spectrum_largeimg.png

Figure 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflectivity

Question: Are U.V. rays made more intense by the reflective qualities of a substance?
Hypothesis: Our group believes that the reflective qualities of substances do affect the intensity
of U.V. rays.
Materials:
U.V. Responsive beads
mirror
black paper
white cloth
white paper
Procedures:
To test our question we are going to set down a piece of white cloth, black paper, and a
mirror in direct sunlight. We will then place a U.V. sensitive bead on each of them and wait 5
minutes for each bead to absorb the maximum amount of U.V. rays. We will then measure the
intensity of U.V. rays each bead absorbed by noting each beads color. Our control group will be
a white sheet of printer paper. If any of our resulting changes in U.V. responsive beads are
detected from the other substrates under the same conditions then this would indicate a change
in U.V. intensity, therefore supporting our hypothesis. We are going to protect our U.V. beads
from U.V. rays bouncing off other substances by staying away from all walls, windows or any
other obstruction of sunlight.

Data:
UV Intensity

difference from control

black paper

4-4=0

mirror

6-4=2

cloth

4-4=0

control (white paper)

none

Graph:

Analyze and Conclude

In this lab we tested whether the reflective qualities of a substance intensified
ultraviolet rays. U.V. or ultraviolet rays can induce sunburn, and other harmful effects on
humans. Our group believes that the reflective qualities of substances do affect the intensity of
U.V. rays. After conducting our experiment we noted that the reflective qualities of a substance
do affect the intensity of U.V. rays, as when our U.V. sensitive bead was placed on the mirror
the bead measured a U.V. intensity 2 units higher than our control. Our graph shows that only
one substance differed from our control, white paper, while all others scored a U.V. intensity the
same as the control. Because the mirror was the most reflective of the other substances we
tested, and all other variables were controlled the U.V. intensity must be due to the reflective

qualities of the mirror. Assuming that my mirror was composed of aluminium, the most common
substance in modern mirrors, the mirror would reflect over 90% of U.V. rays above a
wavelength of 200 nanometers according to Wikipedia (see figure 4) (Source: see bibliography
5) compared to white paper which has a reflectiveness of around
1.
Intro Sentence
2.
Restate Problem
3. Our group believes that the reflective qualities of substances do affect the intensity of U.V.
rays.
4. Cite your data giving specifics and analyze your graph and explain how it supported or didnt
support your hypothesis.
5. Compare what you learned from your experiment with information that you have researched
on the internet. (example: We found the amount of UV radiation that one was exposed to at
noon was 3 times greater than at 9 AM. We noted on Kaisers website that their dermatologist
recommend limiting your time in the sun from 10 AM to 3 PM, and that the amount of UV
exposure can actually be 4 times greater at noon than 9 AM.)
6. Analyze limitations in your experiment and data (an example would be that you may have
used sunscreens that need to be absorbed by your skin to be truly effective. Petri dishes are
not absorbent.) Back-up these assertions with research.
7. Give a recommendation about UV exposure from the experiment you conducted and the
research you did.
8.
Concluding Sentence

Bibliography:

1.

"Ultraviolet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Oct. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet>.

2.

"How Do I Protect Myself from UV Rays?" American Cancer Society. American Cancer
Society, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skincancerpreventiona
ndearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-u-v-protection>.

3.

"UV Radiation." WHO. World Health Organization. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.

<http://www.who.int/uv/faq/whatisuv/en/index1.html>.

4.

"Sun Protection in the Snow - Better Health Channel." Better Health Channel. State
Government of Victoria, May 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sun_protection_in_the_
snow>.

5.

"Reflectivity." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflectivity>.