UVA/UVB Light: Why does UVA penetrate deeper into the skin?

[finnch]

[Mentor's Note: Thread moved from New Member Introductions]

Hello,

My name is Chris and I am trying to understand why UVA radiation, with a longer wavelength, penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB which has a shorter wavelength.

Since E=hv=hc/ λ and

then how does a lower energy and lower intensity UVA wave penetrate deeper into the skin than a UVB wave?

Pardoning the pun, I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me )

Many thanks...

 

[NascentOxygen]

Hi finnch.

Yours is a good question, though you won't get an answer to it in this part of Physics Forums.

To understand why, please refer to the response I wrote in an earlier thread here: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/pipe-diameter-increase.819442/#post-5143656