Question

We spend our lives in visible light without risks to our health. Yet exposure to UV waves in sunlight can cause skin cancer. What is the BEST explanation for this? A) UV waves are longer and carry more energy. B) UV waves are higher frequency and carry more energy. C) UV waves have a lower frequency and carry more energy. Eliminate D) UV waves travel faster than visible light and have more energy.

Answer 1

It's B. The higher the frequency the more the energy.

Answer 2

Answer:

B) UV waves are higher frequency and carry more energy.

Explanation:

The light that we see around us is called visible light which is just 7% of the complete electromagnetic wave spectrum. This EM spectrum has other waves as well such as gamma, UV, IR, Radio etc. These waves are classified according to their wavelengths and frequency.

Gamma rays have the highest frequency and thus are most energetic while radio waves smallest frequency and least energy.

The UV waves coming from the Sun have higher frequency than visible light and thus are more energetic. This is the reason that UV waves can cause skin cancer. The ozone layer in the atmosphere absorbs the UV waves. The increased level of pollution is affecting this layer and thus increasing the exposure to UV waves and hence risk of skin cancer.