Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that lies between the visible spectrum and X-rays. It is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA light, also known as black light, is the least harmful of the three and emits ultraviolet radiation in the UVA band. Black light is a type of UVA light, while UV light includes UVA, UVB, and UVC.
Black light fluorescent tubes are generally manufactured in the same way as regular fluorescent tubes, except that a phosphor is used inside the tube, which emits UVA light instead of visible white light. Incandescent bulbs are a cheaper alternative to fluorescent tubes but are exceptionally inefficient at producing UV light since most of the light emitted by the filament is visible light that must be blocked. Black lights are used for a variety of purposes, including decorative and artistic lighting effects, diagnostic and therapeutic uses in medicine, detecting substances labeled with fluorescent dyes, hunting for stones and scorpions, detecting counterfeit bills, curing plastic resins, attracting insects, and detecting refrigerant leaks affecting refrigerators and air conditioning systems. Black light works at a different wavelength than visible light and can cause certain objects to fluoresce when a black light is placed on them.
UV rays are found at the higher end of full-spectrum visible light, which seems to help treat seasonal affective disorder. Prolonged exposure to UVA-type UV light causes tumors, while UVB is the main culprit. In conclusion, black light is a type of ultraviolet light specifically ultraviolet A (UVA) light. It emits ultraviolet radiation in the UVA band and comes in many colors including violet, blue, green, red, orange, and yellow. Black lights are essential when UV-A light without visible light is needed especially to observe fluorescence.
