Standard physics glossary

Textbook physics terms. Not a BFUT reinterpretation. 371 terms. Textbook meanings only.

2 terms. Page 1 of 1.

em · intro

Ultraviolet Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays, carrying enough energy to cause chemical reactions and biological effects, including sunburn and, with excessive exposure, an increased risk of skin cancer. The Sun emits significant ultraviolet radiation, most of which is absorbed by Earth's ozone layer before reaching the surface. Ultraviolet light is also used in sterilization, fluorescent lighting, and certain types of astronomical observation.

cosmology · intro

Universe

The entirety of space, time, matter, and energy that exists, including all galaxies, stars, planets, and the vast stretches of space between them, along with the fundamental physical laws that govern their behavior. The observable universe, the portion accessible to us given the finite speed of light and the age of cosmic expansion, contains an estimated hundreds of billions of galaxies, though the full extent of the universe beyond what is observable remains unknown.