Ultraviolet radiation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-028977",
  "term": "Ultraviolet radiation",
  "field": "Environment",
  "term_source": "Ultraviolet Radiation",
  "definition": "1. Electromagnetic radiation with wave lengths less than visible light but greater than x-rays.\n\n2. A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorted than visible light. The sun produces UV, which is commonly split into three bands of decreasing wavelength. Shorter wavelength radiation has a greater potential to cause biological damage on living organisms. The longer wavelength ultraviolet... band, UVA, is not absorbed by ozone in the atmosphere. UVB is mostly absorbed by ozone, although some reaches the Earth. The shortest wavelength band, UVC, is completely absorbed by ozone and normal oxygen in the atmosphere.\n\n3. Ultraviolet radiation is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than visible light. The sun produces UV, which is commonly split into three bands UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA is not absorbed by ozone. UVB is mostly absorbed by ozone, although some reaches the Earth under normal conditions and even more will reach the surface because of ozone depletion. UVC is completely absorbed by ozone and normal oxygen (O2). See the NASA Web site for more information.\n\n4. A type of electromagnetic radiation that is produced by the sun. UV radiation is not visible to the naked eye. Most UV radiation is blocked by ozone high in the Earth's atmosphere, but some of it reaches the Earth's surface. Being exposed to too much UV radiation can cause a sunburn, and over time it can lead to skin cancer and eye damage. Too much UV radiation can also harm plants.\n\n5. The energy range just beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum. Although ultraviolet radiation constitutes only about 5 percent of the total energy emitted from the sun, it is the major energy source for the stratosphere and mesosphere, playing a dominant role in both energy balance and chemical composition. Most ultraviolet radiation is blocked by Earth's atmosphere, but some solar ultraviolet penetrates and aids in plant photosynthesis and helps produce vitamin D in humans. Too much ultraviolet radiation can burn the skin, cause skin cancer and cataracts, and damage vegetation.\n\n6. A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than visible light. The sun produces UV, which is commonly split into three bands of decreasing wavelength. Shorter wavelength radiation has a greater potential to cause biological damage on living organisms. The longer wavelength ultraviolet band, UVA, is not absorbed by ozone in the atmosphere. UVB is mostly absorbed by ozone, although some reaches the Earth. The shortest wavelength band, UVC, is completely absorbed by ozone and normal oxygen in the atmosphere.\n\n7. Ultraviolet radiation is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than visible light. The sun produces UV, which is commonly split into three bands: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA is not absorbed by ozone. UVB is mostly absorbed by ozone, although some reaches the Earth. UVC is completely absorbed by ozone and normal oxygen.\n\n8. Shortwave electromagnetic waves having wavelengths between 0.1 and 0.4 micrometers; ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is significantly absorbed by the ozone layer in the stratosphere. It is harmful to plants and animals, including humans.\n\n9. Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation can damage the skin and cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface is made up of two types of rays, called UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are more likely than UVA rays to cause sunburn, but UVA rays pass deeper into the skin. Scientists have long thought that UVB radiation can cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. They now think that UVA radiation also may add to skin damage that can lead to skin cancer and cause premature aging. For this reason, skin specialists recommend that people use sunscreens that reflect, adsorb, or scatter both kinds of UV radiation.\n\n10. The energy range just beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum. Although ultraviolet radiation constitutes only about 5 percent of the total energy emitted from the sun, it is the major energy source for the stratosphere and mesosphere, playing a dominant role in both energy balance and chemical composition.\n\n11. Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of 4 to 400 nanometers.\n\n12. Portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than visible light. The sun produces UV, which is commonly split into three bands: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA is not absorbed by ozone. UVB is mostly absorbed by ozone, although some reaches the Earth. UVC is completely absorbed by ozone and normal oxygen.\n\n13. Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 300 and 400 nanometers.",
  "abbreviation": "UV",
  "synonyms": [
    "UV radiation"
  ],
  "subject": "Natural environments",
  "references": [
    "Underground Storage Tank Sites Guide Glossary",
    "Greenhouse Emissions Glossary",
    "SunWise Program Glossary",
    "Student's Guide to Global Climate Change",
    "Glossary of Climate Change Terms",
    "Greenhouse Gas Emissions",
    "Ozone Layer Protection Glossary",
    "My NASA Data Glossary",
    "NIH Genetics Home Reference Glossary",
    "NASA Science Glossary",
    "Adapted from DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Solar Energy Glossary",
    "40 CFR 59.680 (CFR 2013); 40 CFR 1051.801 (CFR 2013); 40 CFR 1060.801 (CFR 2013)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/ultraviolet-radiation/"
}