UV Sunglasses - What is Ultraviolet Light?


Sunlight emits ultraviolet, visible and infrared rays.  The category is determined by the wavelength, which is the distance from the sun to the earth. 

UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength, which is in the range of 400 nm to 10 nm.  This wavelength is shorter than that of visible light.  Energies from ultraviolet light are between 3eV to 124eV.  This energy is more than that of visible light.  This means that the eye is at a greater risk of damage from absorbing UV radiation. 

UV light is emitted by electric arcs and specialised lights from the sun.  Chemical reactions can occur with UV light, such as things glowing and appearing fluorescent.  The term ‘ultraviolet light’ has been derived due to the existence of electromagnetic waves with frequencies, which are higher than those that we see as the colour violet.  The energy rays lie just behind, the violet end of the visible light spectrum. 

The ozone layer absorbs most of the UV rays from the sun, but eyes can still be damaged by UVB light and UVA light.  These are the only two types of UV rays that can reach the Earth's surface.

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