Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne UV and Glass 
Name:  JeffL
Status: educator
Age: old
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
I have been asked to give a science presentation to a 5th grade class. I have been thinking of demonstrating a Jacob's Ladder as part of it. My question is whether the UV energy emitted will potentially cause harm to the viewer's eyes. If so, will an ordinary piece of glass block the UV emissions? How thick should it be?

Replies:
Jeff,

Ordinary window glass is not very transparent to UV light. On the other hand, viewing the spark discharges from a Jacob's Ladder is not likely to be all that harmful if the exposure is relatively brief. Actually, there is a greater danger posed to one's vision from a full day outdoors on a clear sunny day.

Regards,
ProfHoff


Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory