Why can't ultraviolet rays pass through glass when other forms of electromagnetic radiation can?

Answer 1

The mollecules in the glass have vibrational modes that are excited by that particular energy/frequency. Consequently, glass is mostly opaque to UV.

Similarly, water molecules vibrate with energies in the near IR and into the visible a bit. This is why water is a bit bluish.

Edit--and no, it's not because of lead.

Answer 2

Ordinary glass is partially transparent to UVA but is opaque to shorter wavelengths while Silica or quartz glass, depending on quality, can be transparent even to vacuum UV wavelengths. Ordinary window glass passes about 90% of the light above 350 nm, but blocks over 90% of the light below 300 nm.

Glass does contain lead though and this lead does also have a small contributing factor towards blocking UV rays.

Answer 3

UV can get through glass. Its why furniture, books and pictures in an exposed window fade.

However, most glasses only transmit lower energy UV and some are treated to prevent UV transmission.

Answer 4

They can pass thru glass. You can get glass with UV filters, or add UV filter film to stop UV from passing thru, but if you do, all your house plants will die.

Answer 5

coz glass has a higher refractive index

Answer 6

shorter wavelegths are trapped by density of electrons