Sun Fun Glossary

• Atom: everything around you is made up of atoms. Atoms join together to make elements, and the elements join together to make compounds, and so on ... until everything is joined together to make - YOU! (Back to "Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous!")

• Cataracts: A cataract forms when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy and hard. This can cause problems with vision. (Back to Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous!) (Back to "Jeepers, Creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?")

• ImmuneSystem: the system inside your body that protects you from getting sick, and helps you get better when you are sick. (Back to "Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous!")

• Molecules: the smallest particle of a substance; molecules are made up of one or more atoms. (Back to "Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous") (Back to "The Hole in the Ozone Layer")

• Premature: something that happens earlier in life than it normally would. For example, getting wrinkles at age 25 from too much sun would be premature. (Back to "Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous!")

• SPF: stands for "sun protection factor." Look for this number on sunscreen. Higher numbers mean more protection. (Back to "Safe Sun")

• Stratosphere: the layer of the atmosphere found 6 to 30 miles above the ground. It is the layer above the troposphere, which is the air we breathe. (Back to "The Hole in the Ozone Layer")

• Troposphere: the layer of the atmosphere reaching from the ground to 8 miles. (Back to "The Hole in the Ozone Layer")

• Ultraviolet (UV) Rays: The beams of the sun are rays of light. Light rays can be divided into three main groups: visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared light. Visible light is what humans can see. We can't see ultraviolet light and infrared light, but they are present in sunlight, and can have an effect on us, like sunburns. (Back to "Warning, the rays of the sun can be dangerous!") (Back to "Jeepers, Creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?")

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