The Power of Photon Theory: How UV & IR Light Affect Skin Cells

[a.a]

Ultraviolet light can kill skin cells but infrared light only warms skin cells even though both types of lights are from the sun. Why is this, explain using the photon theory...?

 

[lbrits]

Homework?

 

[a.a]

a class disscussion question... were not required to answer it but I am curious

 

[Astronuc]

What is the significance of UV vs IR, in terms of wavelength/frequency and energy?

Light of different energies will have different transmission capability. Highest energy photons like X-rays (think of hospital X-rays) and gamma rays can penetrate solid materials, with the depth of penetration increasing with energy.

 

[lbrits]

Photons of shorter wavelengths are more energetic, and therefore can induce chemical transitions and disrupt bonds between molecules, damaging biological tissue. I think penetration depth isn't the real issue, as the cross section usually goes up with energy. Therefore, IR probably penetrates skin deeper than UV, (see also greenhouse effect), whereas other materials it would be different.

The key issue is that IR photons are only energetic enough to excite vibrational degrees of freedom (causing temperature rise), whereas UV photons can excite atomic transitions and break bonds. X-rays will do that and gamma rays can even cleave nuclei (spallation)

 

[NYSportsguy]

I believe infared and microwaves have longer wavelengths and thus less frequency than UV light does. That means the photons in the infared don't carry as much energy in them as the photons in UV light do.

Ibrits has it correct as far as saying how UV can excite electrons in different atoms enough to break bonds via the Photoelectric effect. X-rays and gamma rays (especially) are way more harmful to contact with the human skin and body and can casue mutation of genes even.

 

[lbrits]

UV will cause mutation too, which is why we get moles =)

 

[NYSportsguy]

Moles are mutations in skin cells...not genes though. Gamma rays can mutate DNA strands.

 

[lbrits]

Moles are mutations in skin cells...not genes though. Gamma rays can mutate DNA strands.

Uhm... When you say mutations in skin cells, you mean what exactly? Moles are thought to be in part caused by damage to DNA brought on by UV radiation, and can be precursors to melanomas.