Our Star, the Sun One hot experience
Our Sun The sun is more than 4.6 billion years old and will continue to burn for several billion more years. The sun, a star, is a collection of gas – mostly hydrogen and helium.
Sunlight Sunlight arrives in 3 forms: Infrared (heat) Visible light Ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet Light 3 classifications of UV light UVA = blacklight UVB = tanning, sunburn, cancer UVC = filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere and never reaches us
Phosphors Phosphors are substances that give off light, or fluoresce, when exposed to light. Electrons energize the atoms in the substance to make them give off light
How do they Work? Tanning beds and Sun burns – overexposure to UVB rays mutates DNA and may start cancer
How do they Work? Sunscreens/Sunblock Sunscreens absorb UVB light Sunblocks block out UVB light
How do they Work? Bug Zapper – Bugs are attracted to the UVA light because they think it is food or because of mating. Mosquitos are not attracted. Why not?
How do they Work? Black Light Phosphor coating absorbs UVB, UVC and visible light. Only UVA is emitted
Uses for UV light Highlighters/stamp for readmission to theme parks Killing germs/sterilization
Uses for UV light Detect urine Detect insects CSI
Uses for UV light Detect counterfeit money Forgery (paintings, antiques)
Uses for UV light Tonic Water Detergents Detecting Minerals