Why Do Molecules Absorb UV Light?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a penetrating electromagnetic wave of radiation that can damage sensitive materials and substances. Molecules that absorb UV prevent penetration and the degradation it can cause. Synthetic absorbers are manufactured to stop damage incurred by substances like paint and adhesives. • Electromagnetic Radiation • Electromagnetic radiation is one of the most fundamental forces in the universe, resulting from the interaction of subatomic particles. Ultraviolet is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that resides just beyond violet and the rest of the visible colors that can be seen with the naked eye. • Features • Electromagnetic radiation propagates through the universe as a wave. Ultraviolet waves are only about the size of a molecule (10 to 400 nanometers, or a billionth of a meter). The number of wave cycles per second is known as a frequency, and it is measured in hertz. The frequency of ultraviolet radiation is 750 trillion hertz to 30 quadrillion hertz. Ener
