ACTINIC RAY Meaning and
Definition
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Actinic ray, also known as actinic light or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, refers to a type of electromagnetic radiation that possesses higher energy levels and shorter wavelengths than visible light. It falls within the non-ionizing portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and is invisible to the human eye, as it lies outside the range of visible light. Actinic rays are predominantly emitted by the sun but can also be produced artificially through specialized light sources.
Actinic rays are typically categorized into three types based on wavelength: UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm), and UVC (100-280 nm). The Earth's atmosphere absorbs the majority of UVC rays, so the primary concerns regarding actinic rays are centered around UVA and UVB radiation.
Exposure to actinic rays can have adverse effects on biological organisms, including humans. Prolonged or excessive exposure to UVA and UVB radiation can lead to a range of health-related issues such as sunburn, premature aging of the skin, cataracts, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours.
In addition to their potential harm, actinic rays also have various beneficial applications. For instance, UV radiation is used in sterilization processes to kill bacteria and viruses, and it is also utilized in certain industrial and scientific applications, including fluorescence microscopy, photolithography, and printing.
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A light ray toward and beyond the violet end of the spectrum which acts upon a photograph plate and produces other chemical effects.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ACTINIC RAY
- zctinic ray
- sctinic ray
- wctinic ray
- qctinic ray
- axtinic ray
- avtinic ray
- aftinic ray
- adtinic ray
- acrinic ray
- acfinic ray
- acginic ray
- acyinic ray
- ac6inic ray
- ac5inic ray
- actunic ray
- actjnic ray
- actknic ray
- actonic ray
- act9nic ray
Etymology of ACTINIC RAY
The word "actinic" comes from the Greek word "aktis", meaning "ray" or "beam of light". The term "actinic ray" was coined in the mid-19th century by the German chemist, physicist, and pioneer of ultraviolet radiation research, Johann Wilhelm Ritter. He used "actinic" to describe a specific type of radiant energy that had the ability to cause chemical reactions, particularly in photography. The word "ray" refers to the beam-like nature of this energy.
Similar spelling words for ACTINIC RAY
- actiniarian,
- actinidiaceae,
- actiniaria,
- actinide,
- actinian,
- acetonic,
- actinium,
- actinaria,
- actinidia,
- action replay,
- actinism.
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