The most familiar form of radiant energy in sunlight that causes tanning and sunburning of human skin, is called

The most familiar form of radiant energy in sunlight responsible for tanning and sunburning is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Solar radiation reaching Earth consists of visible light, infrared radiation (felt as heat), and ultraviolet rays [c4, t3]. UV radiation is a non-ionizing, short-wave radiation that has low penetrating power but high energy, allowing it to injure skin cells and blood capillaries [c2, t8]. This damage manifests as blisters and reddening, commonly known as sunburns [c2]. Specifically, UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to tanning as the body's protective response [t3, t10]. While the atmosphere filters out most harmful UVC rays, UVA and UVB reach the surface, where excessive exposure can lead to DNA damage, skin cancer, and premature aging [c3, t9].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Non-ionising radiations: > p. 83
2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 19: Ozone Depletion > OTSNE $$FUETION > p. 267
3. [3] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > lnsolation > p. 131
4. [4] https://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposure
5. [5] https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/emspectrum1.html