Question

Why can UV break apart molecules and IR only speeds up the molecules vibrations?

Answer 1

Shouldn't air be opaque since instead of coming into our eye, the lightwaves get caught in the electrons? If oxygen does absorb light waves, how come air is not hot and you can see through it? The way I understand it is when electrons take in energy in the form of light, they jump to a higher electron shell and that light is no longer light, but energy