AQA · GCSE · Physics

    Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016

    Ultraviolet waves can cause skin to age prematurely and increase the risk…

    Full specification wording

    Properties of electromagnetic waves 2: Ultraviolet waves can cause skin to age prematurely and increase the risk of skin cancer.

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than visible light, carrying more energy.

    Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 10 of 11
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than visible light, carrying more energy. When UV waves reach humans, they are absorbed by the outer layers of the skin. This absorption has severe consequences. For example, repeated exposure damages the structural proteins keeping skin elastic, causing the skin to age prematurely. Furthermore, UV radiation damages the DNA inside skin cells. This genetic damage can cause mutations that significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. While UV causes short-term effects like sunburn, the long-term risks are severe. Sunscreen and protective clothing absorb or block ultraviolet waves before they can reach and damage the skin, reducing exposure.

    What earns the marks

    • Stating that ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the skin.
    • Naming premature ageing of the skin as a long-term effect of UV exposure.
    • Linking damage to DNA or genes in skin cells to an increased risk of skin cancer.
    • Identifying that sunscreen or protective clothing can absorb or block ultraviolet to reduce exposure.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Saying ultraviolet causes cancer because it is hot, corrected by distinguishing its effects from infrared radiation.

    • Claiming sunscreen reflects all the ultraviolet so that no risk remains, corrected by noting it absorbs UV but some risk may persist.

    • Describing sunburn as the only effect, corrected by including the longer-term risks of premature ageing and skin cancer.

    Exam tips

    • When asked about the risks of UV, give both a short-term effect, such as sunburn, and a long-term one, such as skin cancer.
    • Remember to specify that ultraviolet is absorbed by the skin, leading to potential DNA damage, rather than just saying it hits the body.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Properties of electromagnetic waves 2: Ultraviolet waves can cause skin to age prematurely and increase the risk of skin cancer. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which of the following describes the hazardous effects of ultraviolet waves on the human body?

    Listen

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than visible light, carrying more energy. When UV waves reach humans, they are absorbed by the outer layers of the skin. This absorption has severe consequences. For example, repeated exposure damages the structural proteins keeping skin elastic, causing the skin to age prematurely. Furthermore, UV radiation damages the DNA inside skin cells. This genetic damage can cause mutations that significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. While UV causes short-term effects like sunburn, the long-term risks are severe. Sunscreen and protective clothing absorb or block ultraviolet waves before they can reach and damage the skin, reducing exposure. A strong answer earns marks for these points. stating that ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the skin. naming premature ageing of the skin as a long-term effect of UV exposure. linking damage to DNA or genes in skin cells to an increased risk of skin cancer. identifying that sunscreen or protective clothing can absorb or block ultraviolet to reduce exposure. Exam tip: When asked about the risks of UV, give both a short-term effect, such as sunburn, and a long-term one, such as skin cancer.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. At the top, a node reads 'Ultraviolet waves reach the skin' and an arrow leads down to 'Absorbed by the outer layers of the skin'. From this absorption node three arrows branch out. The first leads to 'Repeated exposure damages structural proteins keeping skin elastic', which leads on to 'Skin ages prematurely'. The second leads to 'UV damages DNA inside skin cells', which leads on to 'Mutations increase risk of skin cancer'. The third leads to 'Short-term effect: sunburn'. Separately, a node reading 'Sunscreen and protective clothing' leads to 'Absorb or block ultraviolet before it reaches the skin', which leads to 'Reduced exposure'.
    Shows how ultraviolet absorbed by the skin leads to premature ageing, DNA damage and increased skin cancer risk, and how sunscreen and protective clothing reduce exposure.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    ultraviolet absorption

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    premature ageing

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    DNA damage

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    skin cancer risk

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    ultraviolet absorption
    When ultraviolet waves reach humans, they are absorbed by the outer layers of the skin.
    premature ageing
    Repeated exposure damages the structural proteins keeping skin elastic, causing the skin to age prematurely.
    DNA damage
    Ultraviolet radiation damages the DNA inside skin cells, and this genetic damage can cause mutations.
    skin cancer risk
    Mutations caused by genetic damage significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. At the top, a node reads 'Ultraviolet waves reach the skin' and an arrow leads down to 'Absorbed by the outer layers of the skin'. From this absorption node three arrows branch out. The first leads to 'Repeated exposure damages structural proteins keeping skin elastic', which leads on to 'Skin ages prematurely'. The second leads to 'UV damages DNA inside skin cells', which leads on to 'Mutations increase risk of skin cancer'. The third leads to 'Short-term effect: sunburn'. Separately, a node reading 'Sunscreen and protective clothing' leads to 'Absorb or block ultraviolet before it reaches the skin', which leads to 'Reduced exposure'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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