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UV full form is Ultraviolet. It is a light of wavelength 10 to 400 nm, shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays. It is a form of electromagnetic radiation that produces 10% of the light from the total sunlight and is distributed either as waves or as particles of a specific frequency and wavelength.
Ultraviolet Waves Properties
Following are the characteristics of UV:
- Ranges from -1 x 10-8m to -4 x 10-7m.
- Frequency ranges from -7.5 x 1014 Hz to -3 x 1016 Hz.
- Wavelengths are narrower than visible light.
- Thick clouds block Ultraviolet radiation.
- We can use UV light as a disinfectant.
- Near- ultraviolet is nearest to visible light.
- Far-ultraviolet is present between UV near and extreme areas.
Discovery of UV rays
Johann Ritter in the 1800s tried to confirm the presence of waves beyond the visible spectrum. As it was known that photographic film changed to black in blue light rather than red, Ritter exposed that film to beyond violet. The film changed colour as expected thus confirming the existence of UV rays.
Uses of UV rays
- Helps destroy germs.
- Helps sterilize surgical equipment in hospitals.
- Helps in water treatment and the pharmaceutical sector.