When an ultraviolet photon is absorbed by a molecule of DNA, the photon’s energy can be converted into vibrational energy of the molecular bonds. Excessive vibration damages the molecule by causing the bonds to break. Ultraviolet light of wavelength less than 290 nm causes significant damage to DNA; ultraviolet light of longer wavelength causes minimal damage. What is the threshold photon energy, in eV, for DNA damage?
Compton effect
The incoming photons' energy must be in the range of an X-ray frequency to generate the Compton effect. The electron does not lose enough energy that reduces the wavelength of scattered photons towards the visible spectrum. As a result, with visible lights, the Compton effect is missing.
Recoil Velocity
The amount of backward thrust or force experienced by a person when he/she shoots a gun in the forward direction is called recoil velocity. This phenomenon always follows the law of conservation of linear momentum.
When an ultraviolet photon is absorbed by a molecule of DNA, the photon’s energy can be converted into vibrational energy of the molecular bonds. Excessive vibration damages the molecule by causing the bonds to break. Ultraviolet light of wavelength less than 290 nm causes significant damage to DNA; ultraviolet light of longer wavelength causes minimal damage. What is the threshold photon energy, in eV, for DNA damage?
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