fig.2.6
DESCRIPTION
Fig.2.6. Low E: Low freq. & high l. High E: High freq. & low l. (most damaging!). (most intense). (most abundant). Radiation from the Sun (Fig 2.7). Not between. Energy. Radiation exists only at these energy levels. Frequency. (2.5) Radiation and Matter. “Particles” of Energy. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
(2.5) Radiation and Matter
“Particles” of Energy
Max Planck:Radiation is quantized – exists only at certain energy levels
Frequency
Energy
Radiation exists onlyat these energy levels
Not between
Einstein: One “step” = photon“bundle of light energy”
New way of thinking about light:Light is a particleHas no massMoves in waves
Calculating the Energy of Light:
Unit of energy: joule (J)
Accelerate a 1 kg mass
from 0 to 1 m/s
over a distance of 1 m
(1 heartbeat)
Equation: E=h
Planck’s Constant: 6.63 x 10-34 J·s
What is the energy of UV light with a frequency of 1.00 x 1015 s-1
E = h = (6.63 x 10-34 J·s)(1 x 1015 s-1)
E = 6.63 x 10-19 J
Compare to radio wave of 3 x 109 m
E = hc = (6.63 x 10-34 J·s)(3.00 x 108 m/s) 3 x 109 m
E = 6.63 x 10-35 J
Can also calculate energy from
E = hhc (since = c)
UV has 10 quadrillion times more energy!
What happens when light hits matter?
IR – molecules vibrate, matter heats up
Visible – excite electrons, chemical reactions can occur (photosynthesis)
UV – knock electrons off charged particles
High freq. UV – break covalent bonds (!)(disrupt biol. processes, damage tissues, cancer)
UV Absorption by O2 and O3
Oxygen: 200-242 nm
Ozone: 200-320 nm Why does ozone absorb a broader range?
It’s more reactive!
O O
O
O
O
“Bond-and a half” weaker than double bond Lower energy light can react
Cause for Concern
• Short = massive DNA cleavage
• 280 nm is 100,000X more damaging than 320nm
• Ozone conc. has been dropping More short light gets thru More damage to organisms
1% decrease in O3 = 2% increase in skin cancer
Reasons
• Ozone depletion – partly responsible
• Geographic location
• More people in outdoor activities?
• Tanning beds?
Tanning
• Cosmetic benefit vs. cancer risk
• Cancer can occur after exposure has stopped
• Advance ageing process
• Highest risk: Fair hair & skin
• Winter– Snow-blindness, cataracts from UVB
Other facts
• Geographical location – big factor!• Sunblock helps
– Not immune!• UVB harms other organisms
– Plants– Marine life (phytoplankton)
• Ultimate food source for ocean life
• Absorb 80% of man-made CO2
–Greenhouse gas