 Ultraviolet Radiation What is it? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic waves that have a wavelength just a bit shorter than that of visible light and just a little longer than x-rays. The sun is the major source of ultraviolet radiation on earth. Give me an example! When you expose your skin to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, you might get a suntan, but you also increase your risk of getting skin cancer. Ozone in the stratosphere blocks most of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, the use of chloroflourocarbons has created a hole in the ozone layer, which increases both the risk of skin cancer and contributes to the Greenhouse Effect. Copyright ©2010, PCS Edventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |