hmm, well, since birds and other animals perceive UV radiation as
part of the visible spectrum, i say we be generous and call it
"light."  and if you didn't have a cornea, you might be able to see
some of it too...

antonia


>One semantic quibble for language fans: strictly speaking, UV is radiation,
>not light.  Light is generally defined as the portion of the electromagnetic
>spectrum which is visible to human eyes, so if you can't see it, it ain't
>light.
>
>This was emphasized in a college physics course by a hard-nosed, no-nonsense
>professor named Todd, of whom it was remarked, "...And Todd said, 'Let there
>be light.'"
>
>On the other hand, my Webster's contradicts itself--after the primary
>definition which restricts light to visible sensation--by adding a secondary
>definition that includes infrared, "visible", UV, and X-rays.  I guess this
>is inclusiveness--we wouldn't want to leave Superman out...  Or perhaps it
>depends on what you mean by "see" or "visible."  Oddly enough, though, I
>don't think I've ever heard anyone call X-rays "light."


--
Antonia D. Stephens
4 Halyard Way
Centerville, MA  02632
(508) 362-7998

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