Why is ultraviolet radiation more dangerous than infrared radiation?

Answer 1

UV and IR radiation are both electromagnetic radiations. They differ in wavelength (the distance traveled by the wave in the time of one period, which is related to frequency). UV has a shorter wavelength than IR, and is thus more energetic (because shorter wavelength also means higher frequency, and the energy of a single photon is proportional to its frequency.) The energy in each photon in the UV frequency range is enough to wreak havoc with the structures of many moelcules, and thus cause a wide range of damage. This can be damage to tissue (as in a sunburn) or to DNA molecules (causing risk of skin cancer) or something relatively harmless, like the activation of a mechanism in the skin that increases pigmentation (i.e., a suntan.) This is also why the sun has a bleaching effect on the colors of many objects (the UV alters or destroys the molecules that provide the color) and causes others to become weak or brittle.

IR photons, on the other hand, have only enough energy to shake molecules around a little, which makes material hot but doesn't do any real damage (unless there's enough to make it reallyhot.) That's why IR is sometimes erroneously referred to as "heat rays."

Answer 2

Because the ultraviolet rays can burn your skin, cause skin cancer, damage your eyes, and harm/kill living cells.

Answer 3

Infrared photons have longer wavelengths than ultraviolet protons, which means that they have less energy with which to damage cells.

Answer 4

Ultraviolet radiation has more energy. E = hf

Answer 5

yes way more harmful

Answer 6

infrared cuz its more harmful