What type of electromagnetic radiation can damage cells of living things and is locked by the Earth's ozone layers?
It is UV radiation
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The type of electromagnetic radiation that can damage cells of living things and is blocked by the Earth's ozone layers is known as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is subdivided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Of these, UVC is the most harmful, but it is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not reach the surface. UVB radiation is partially absorbed by the ozone layer, while UVA radiation is not significantly affected by the ozone layer. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to various health issues, including skin damage, eye problems, and increased risk of skin cancer. It is therefore essential to protect oneself from excessive exposure to UV radiation by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses, particularly during peak sun hours.
The type of electromagnetic radiation that can damage cells of living things and is blocked by the Earth's ozone layer is called ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that falls in the wavelength range between X-rays and visible light. It is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
UVB radiation is particularly harmful to living organisms as it has higher energy and can penetrate the outer layer of the skin, causing sunburns, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Fortunately, most of the Earth's surface is shielded from excessive UVB radiation by the ozone layer, which is part of the Earth's atmosphere.
To understand how the Earth's ozone layer protects us from UV radiation, we need to know that ozone molecules (O3) are naturally present in the Earth's stratosphere. These molecules act as a protective blanket by absorbing and blocking a portion of UV radiation from the sun, primarily the harmful UVB rays. This absorption process increases the temperature in the stratosphere and prevents a significant amount of UV radiation from reaching the Earth's surface.
An important note is that human activities, such as the release of certain chemicals into the atmosphere (such as chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs), have resulted in the thinning of the ozone layer. This thinning has led to an increased amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface in some regions, posing a higher risk to living organisms.
To summarize, UV radiation is the type of electromagnetic radiation that can damage cells of living things, especially UVB rays. The Earth's ozone layer acts as a shield, absorbing a significant amount of UV radiation and protecting us from its harmful effects. However, human activities have caused ozone depletion, leading to increased UV radiation exposure in certain areas.