2007-05-31 06:54:44 · 6 answers · asked by Matt I 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Technically is considered "Black Light" because it is in the spectrum of light that is emitted as low wave frequency. This frequency is considered not to be light but to be ultra violet radiation. Violet light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths of 410 nanometers and red light has a wavelength of 680 nanometers. Since light (energy and matter) moves in a wave motion we can only see a small portion of that spectrum with the naked eye from 400 to 700 nm. So the portion of light that we can see is in the wave length of 400+ is violet (or purple). Hope this helps.
2007-05-31 07:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by talkinghead 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The part of the spectrum referred to as "black light" (UV) isn't visible to the human eye. Purple is often given off, because it's close to UV in the spectrum and the UV lights aren't perfect.
Most of the light spectrum is invisible to humans. Some bugs and maybe some birds can see light in the near UV or IR areas of the spectrum, but it wasn't evolutionarily advantageous for mammals to see in that part of the light spectrum.
It's called black light because if you filtered out all but the UV, it would appear as no light at all - i.e. dark or black.
2007-05-31 07:06:28 · answer #2 · answered by Radagast97 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing as black light if it would be there you would not be able to see any thing
2007-05-31 06:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by mustafa k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
same thing with the black brass plating on my euphonium when it's a really dark, metallic green.
2007-05-31 07:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It made it sound cooler when they introduced it during the drug culture peak in the 60's.
2007-05-31 06:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same reason you park in ya DRIVEWAY,
but you drive on the PARKWAY!
2007-05-31 07:03:03 · answer #6 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋