The spelling of the word "ultraviolet" may seem tricky at first, but it can be easily broken down using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "ultra," is pronounced "ʌl.trə," with the stress placed on the first syllable. The second syllable, "violet," is pronounced "vaɪ.ə.lət" with the stress placed on the second syllable. The combination of these two syllables creates the unique spelling of "ultraviolet," which refers to the invisible rays beyond violet light in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Ultraviolet (UV) refers to a form of electromagnetic radiation that lies beyond the violet end of the visible light spectrum. It is characterized by shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies than those of visible light. UV radiation is typically divided into three categories based on its wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
UVA is the longest wavelength among the three, ranging from 320 to 400 nanometers (nm). It is the least energetic type of UV radiation. UVA rays make up the majority of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface and can penetrate deep into the skin, potentially causing skin aging and wrinkling.
UVB radiation, ranging from 280 to 320 nm, has a higher energy level than UVA. It is partially absorbed by the Earth's ozone layer and is primarily responsible for sunburns and skin reddening. Excessive exposure to UVB rays can lead to sunburn, cellular DNA damage, and an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
UVC radiation, the most energetic type, is completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not reach the surface. It is commonly used for germicidal purposes, such as in sterilization processes, as it can destroy bacteria and viruses.
Overall, while exposure to small amounts of UV radiation is essential for the production of vitamin D, overexposure can have detrimental effects on human health, particularly in relation to skin damage and potential risks of skin cancer.
Noting the actinic or chemical rays beyond the violet end of the spectrum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ultraviolet" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the combination of two words: "ultra" meaning "beyond" or "exceeding" and "violet", which refers to the color. So, "ultraviolet" essentially means "beyond violet" or "exceeding violet" in reference to the wavelength of light.