Ultraviolet (UV) light is characterized by which type of wavelengths?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is indeed characterized by very short wavelengths. The UV spectrum ranges from about 10 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm, which is shorter than visible light wavelengths (approximately 400 nm to 700 nm). This shorter wavelength is significant because it allows UV light to carry more energy than visible light, which has implications in various scientific and medical fields, including its ability to cause chemical reactions and contribute to processes like photosynthesis and skin damage from sunlight.

The classification of UV wavelengths into categories such as UVA, UVB, and UVC, which each have different effects and applications, further emphasizes the importance of understanding where UV light fits within the electromagnetic spectrum. The very short wavelengths of UV light are precisely why it is utilized in applications like sterilization and disinfection, as they can disrupt the molecular structure of microorganisms.