Ultra Violet Radiation from the Sun

Introduction:
Invisible ultraviolet radiations from the sun or other sources can cause sunburn, skin cancer and damage eyes. It is important for us to detect the presence and strength of UV lights so that we can minimize our exposure or protect ourselves by using UV filtering eyeglasses and sunscreen lotions.
 
Material and instructions:
In this project you will compare the strength of ultraviolet radiation in direct sunlight in different times of the day. Your project guide will also contain instructions for testing sunscreen lotions and sunglasses for their ability to filter harmful UV radiations. To do this project you will use some UV sensitive beads and other materials such as a clock, pen and paper that you may already have at home.
Details of this project:
This project guide contains the experiment design as well as suggestions for defining variables and hypothesis. Additional experiments suggested in this project guide are:
  • Compare the strength of ultraviolet radiation in the shade in different times of the day.
  • Test sunglasses for their ability to filter UV light.
  • Test sunblock/ sunscreen lotions for their effectiveness in blocking UV radiations.
The "Ultra Violet Radiation from Sun" is an experimental science project suitable as a class project or science fair project for grades 4 to 6.