UV-B: Medium-wave ultraviolet, responsible for sunburn and vitamin D synthesis. This portion of the light spectrum is invisible to the human eye, yet it plays a crucial role in both natural phenomena and human technology.
How Ultraviolet Light Affects Biological Matter at the Cellular Level
The shortest and most energetic category is UV-C, which covers wavelengths from 100 to 280 nanometers and is almost entirely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. However, the Earth's ozone layer acts as a protective shield, absorbing the most dangerous UV-C rays and a significant portion of UV-B.
This classification places UV light between visible violet light and X-rays, giving it properties that are distinct from both ordinary light and more penetrating radiation like gamma rays. Visible light occupies a narrow band in the middle, with colors ranging from red, which has the longest wavelength, to violet, which has the shortest.
How UV Light Affects Biological Matter at the Cellular Level
However, excessive exposure can overwhelm these defenses, leading to cellular mutations and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV-C: Short-wave ultraviolet, used for sterilization and disinfection.
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