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."

David Haberstich

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