Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet Light refers to the region of the

electromagnetic spectrum between visible
light and X-rays, with a wavelength falling
between 400 and 10 nanometers.
Ultraviolet Light from our Sun
 Different Types of UV Light

UV-A Light (320-400 nm)

- it has the longest wavelength,
and the least harmful.
-commonly known as “black
light”
-has the ability to cause objects to
emit fluorescence
-insects and birds can perceive
this type of UV light
 Different Types of UV Light

UV-B Light (290-320 nm)

- causes sunburns with prolonged exposure may increase the risk
of skin cancer.

-about 95% 0f all UV-B light is

absorbed by the ozone in Earth’s
atmosphere.
 Different Types of UV Light

UV-C Light (100-290 nm)

-is extremely harmful and is almost completely absorbed by
Earth’s atmosphere.
-is commonly used as a
disinfectant in food, air and
water to kill microorganisms
by destroying their cells’
nucleic acids.
 Regions of UV Light
• Near Ultraviolet (NUV) Light (300-400
nm) - is the light closest to visible light.
• Middle Ultraviolet (MUV) Light (200-
300 nm) - in between NUV and FUV
and require a vacuum to be detected.
• Far Ultraviolet (FUV) Light (100-200
nm) - lies between the near and extreme
region and is least explored among the
three regions.
 Regions of UV Light

Extreme Ultraviolet (NUV) Light (10-100 nm)

-can only travel through vacuum, and is completely absorbed in
Earth’s atmosphere.
-it ionizes the upper atmosphere,
creating ionosphere.
-measured with the use of rockets
and satellites.
 Discovery of Ultraviolet

In 1801, Johann Ritter conducted an experiment to

investigate the existence of energy beyond the violet end
of the visible spectrum.
Knowing that photographic
paper would turn black more
rapidly in blue light than in
red light, he exposed the Johann Ritter's experiment was designed toexpose
photographic paper to light just beyondthe visible
paper to light beyond violet. spectrum and prove the existenceof light beyond violet—
ultraviolet light.Credit: Troy Benesch
 Ultraviolet Astronomy

Scientists use data from satellites positioned above the

atmosphere, in orbit around the Earth, to sense UV
radiation coming from our Sun and other astronomical
objects.
Scientists can also study the
formation of stars in ultraviolet
since young stars shine most of
their light at these wavelengths.
 Ultraviolet Astronomy

Ultraviolet images of galaxies show mainly clouds of

gas containing newly formed stars that are many times
more massive than the Sun and glow strongly in
ultraviolet light. Visible light images of galaxies
show mostly the yellow and red
light of older stars.
 The Ozone Hole
Each year, a "hole" of thinning
atmospheric ozone expands over
Antarctica, sometimes extending
over populated areas of South
America and exposing them to
increased levels of harmful UV
rays. The Dutch Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)
onboard NASA's Aura satellite measures amounts of trace
gases important to ozone chemistry and air quality.
Ultraviolet Light from Stars

The Lyman-Alpha Mapping

Project (LAMP) onboard the
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
can peer into permanently
shaded craters on the moon by
sensing the faint reflections of
UV light coming from distant
stars.
 Jupiter’s Aurora

Ultraviolet wrapping around Jupiter's north pole like a

lasso.
 Jupiter’s Aurora

This unusual false-color shows how

the Earth glows in ultraviolet (UV)
light. These bands are the result of
aurora caused by charged particles given off by the Sun.
They spiral towards the Earth along Earth's magnetic
field lines.
 Key to the Origin of Life

UV light may have played a key role

in the origin of life on Earth,
especially origin of RNA.

Red dwarf stars may not emit

enough UV light to start the
biological processes needed for the
formation of ribonucleic acid.
 Cancer Treatment

In a procedure called psoralen ultraviolet light

treatment (PUVA), patients take a drug or apply a
lotion to make their skin sensitive to light. PUVA is
used to treat
eczema, lymphoma,
psoriasis and vitiligo.
It slows down the growth that
plays a major role in the
disease’s development.
 Other UV Sources

 Tanning Booths  Halogen Lights

 Black Lights  High-Intensity
 Curing Lamps  Discharge Lamps
 Germicidal Lamps  Fluorescent
 Mercury Vapor  Incandescent
Lamps Sources
 Effects of Ultraviolet Exposure
Sun Tan- which is the result of melanin gathering in the
skin in order to absorb UV rays and disperse them as
heat.
Skin Cancer- most cases of skin cancer are caused by
overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun,
tanning beds, or sunlamps.
Premature aging (photoaging)- Sun exposure also
causes premature aging of the skin, a condition called
photoaging, which is different than chronological aging.
 Effects of Ultraviolet Exposure

Cataracts and Other Eye Disorders- is an eye disorder

characterized by a change in the structure of the
crystalline lens that causes blurred vision, are a leading
cause of blindness around the world.
Immune System Damage- When UV radiation
suppresses immune responses, the body's ability to fight
certain diseases, including skin cancer, is reduced. It is
suspected that overexposure to UV radiation also
interferes with the effectiveness of immunizations given
through the skin.
 UV and Fluoresce
Ultraviolet Light is undetectable by the human eye,
although, when it falls on certain materials, it may cause
them to fluoresce ---emit electromagnetic radiation of
lower energy, such as visible light.
Some tropical fish have
fluorescent markings that
make them shine vividly in
sunlight or artificial light
containing UV.
 UV and Fluoresce

Bees, along with some birds,

reptiles and other insects, can see
near-ultraviolet light reflecting off of
plants. Bug zappers attract insects
with ultraviolet light to lure them to
the trap.
 UV and Fluoresce

The word ‘fluorescence’ comes from fluorite – a substance

that glows blue in UV light.
 Minerals in Rocks fluoresce with particular colours.
 Forensic Science
 UV fluorescence can be used as a security measure.
 UV and Fluoresce

 Special pens containing a clear

fluorescent dye
 Washing powders and liquids
contains a small amount of
fluorescent dye

 Photocopy paper also contains a small amount of clear

fluorescent dye to make the paper appear whiter
Thanks for Listening!