Did I break the laws of physics?

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   Snøwmanposted 10 years ago

   Did I break the laws of physics?
   
   I went on a camping trip for 3 days and never used sunblock. The whole time I never got a sunburn until I rode the bus home. I got sunburned through the closed window on the bus. It was only my arm that was near the window that was burned, nothing else.  I've always heard that you can't get a sunburn through glass, but I did.

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2. 76

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 10 years ago

   I get a sunburn through my house windows and my car's windshield every year. I have to use sunblock to drive! I need to get some sunblock...

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3. 75

   Nicole Grizzleposted 10 years ago

   
   
   There is a truck driver whose left side of the face looks much older than her right due to her being on the road so much. The UV rays penetrated the glass, damaging the one side of her face.
   
   There's a common misconception with the glass thing. Glass does block some UV rays, UVB rays specifically. However, most of the glass in cars and trucks don't protect against UVA rays. Only the windshield does. So sun damage can still happen in your vehicle on your left and right windows.
   
   This is probably what happened to you. I hope it doesn't hurt too badly!

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      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I know about uva that can go through glass, but why didn't I get burned before I got on the bus?

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      Nicole Grizzleposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It could be many things. The UV index could have been lower during your camping trip, you were in less direct sunlight (maybe you were in the shade?). Sunburn isn't always immediate too. It can take as long as 6 hrs for redness/pain to show.

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4. 80

   Blond Logicposted 10 years ago

   I remember my cousin did as well through a window on a drive through California. Unless your windows are darkened, which many of them are here in Brazil where I live, you can get burned.
   It is often thought that many forest fires are started when the sun rays hit glass bottles which have been left behind by campers. Another good reason to take your litter home with you.
   Remember what happens when you use a magnifying glass in the sun, you can start a fire.
   I hope your burn wasn't too serious.

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   1. 58

      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The magnifying glass thing works with infrared, not ultraviolet. No it wasn't bad. It was barely a sunburn and it happened a few years ago.

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