What happens when UV is absorbed?

What happens when UV is absorbed?

When an ozone molecule absorbs UV-B, it comes apart into an oxygen molecule (O2) and a separate oxygen atom (O). Later, the two components can reform the ozone molecule (O3). By absorbing UV-B in the stratosphere, the ozone layer prevents harmful levels of this radiation from reaching Earth’s surface.

Which absorbs harmful radiation from the sun?

the ozone layer
Higher up, in the stratosphere, the ozone layer absorbs solar ultra-violet radiation and affects how much of the Sun’s heat is radiated back into space. The ozone layer shields us from the harmful effects of excessive UV radiation, which can lead to sunburn, skin cancer and eye damage.

What does UV light do to atoms?

UV radiation has enough energy to break chemical bonds. Due to their higher energies, UV photons can cause ionization, a process in which electrons break away from atoms. The resulting vacancy affects the chemical properties of the atoms and causes them to form or break chemical bonds that they otherwise would not.

Does UV light get absorbed?

Just as visible light consists of different colours that become apparent in a rainbow, the UV radiation spectrum is divided into three regions called UVA, UVB and UVC. As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, all UVC and most UVB is absorbed by ozone, water vapour, oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Does UV destroy ozone in air?

UV light will create ozone from atmospheric oxygen at short wavelengths of less than 240 nanometers (nm). UV light will also destroy ozone and break ozone back down into atomic oxygen (O) and diatomic oxygen (O2) at wavelengths from about 200 nm to 315 nm.

Does the Sun have UV rays?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. While it has some benefits for people, including the creation of Vitamin D, it also can cause health risks. Our natural source of UV radiation: The sun.

What UV rays does the sun emit?

The sun emits three different types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. All types of UV radiation have the potential to damage your skin, but each type affects your skin differently.

Why UV light is harmful?

Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis. UV rays can also cause eye problems. They can cause the cornea (on the front of the eye) to become inflamed or burned.

What happens when a camera is exposed to the Sun?

While Flir has taken steps to lessen the effects of the sun on its uncooled cameras, visible, temporary effects may be observed when a camera images the sun. A ‘ghost’ image of the sun is the most pronounced effect seen after prolonged exposure at the sun.

How is solar radiation absorbed or reflected by the Earth?

Solar radiation that is not absorbed or reflected by the atmosphere (for example by clouds) reaches the surface of the Earth. The Earth absorbs most of the energy reaching its surface, a small fraction is reflected.

How is absorption measured in an optical spectrometer?

An optical spectrometer records the wavelengths at which absorption occurs, together with the degree of absorption at each wavelength. The resulting spectrum is presented as a graph of absorbance (A) versus wavelength, as in the isoprene spectrum shown below.

How is the atmosphere affected by the Sun?

Besides containing the oxygen human beings and other organisms need to live, the atmosphere has a number of other “features” such as absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun by the ozone layer and heat retention known as the greenhouse effect.