Interesting aspects of our daily lives are shadows. Objects are born when light from a source—for example the Sun or a lamp—is obstructed. We will investigate in this lesson what shadows are, how they form, their characteristics, and their connections to events like day and night & solar eclipses.
Shadows are formed as a result of
Light is emitted from a light source, which can be the Sun or a bulb.
An opaque object traps the path of the light (an object that is unable to allow light).
The shadow falls on a surface (like a wall or the ground).
Light Source |
Opaque Object |
Surface |
Shadow |
Sun |
Tree |
Ground |
Dark Shape on the Ground |
Bulb |
Book |
Wall |
Dark Shape on Wall |
Activity: Create Your Own Shadow
At home, you might experiment with creating shadows.
Starting a sharp room energy lamp or flashlight.
Place your hand or a toy in front of the light.
Just pay attention to the shadow wall or floor. Move the object closer or further from the light & see how the shadow changes.
Shadows have some interesting characteristics:
Property |
Explanation |
Shape |
Shadows take the form of the object obstructing the light. |
Size |
Depending on how far away the object is from the light source a shadow will change size. |
Color |
Shadows are typically dark because light is prevented from reaching them. |
Direction |
Notice that the direction of the shadow depends on where the light source is located. |
Position of the Light Source: Since shadows are long in the morning & evening, if the main light is low; if it is directly above at noon, they are small.
Distance Between Object and Light Source: The closer the light is to the object then the more shadow will be.")
Type of Object: Opaque objects cast crisp shadows; translucent objects cast blurry shadows.
Experiment One: Different sizes of the shadow
Hold something opaque in front of the flashlight, such as a small toy.
Bring the torch closer to and further away from the object & observe the change in size of the shadow.
Experiment Two: Direction of the Shadow
Put an object in the sun at different times (evening, midday & morning).
Notice how the angle of the shadow changes depending on where the Sun is in the sky.
The rotation of the Earth on its axis gives night & day. Let's clarify how these are operated:
The Earth rotates every 24 hours.
Daytime takes place on the side of a planet facing the Sun.
One part of the planet that lacks light is the sun's effect.
This movement of the Earth explains why we see the Sun setting in the west and rising in the east. The direction & length of shadows are also influenced throughout the day by the moving position of the Sun.
Time of Day |
Position of the Sun |
Shadow Length |
Shadow Direction |
Morning |
Low in the Sky |
Long |
West |
Noon |
Directly Overhead |
Short |
Under Object |
Evening |
Low in the Sky |
Long |
East |
Activity: shadow clock
Using a stick, you can create a basic shadow clock.
Erect a stick in the ground.
Mark the tip of its shadow every hour.
See how the length of the shadow all day varies & it travels.
One celestial body moves into the shadow of another, causing an eclipse. There are two primary forms of solar cores:
When the Moon crosses between the Earth & the Sun, solar eclipse happen slope endsünchen Earth by means of.
Position: Sun to Moon & Earth.
Types: whole, partial, annular solar eclipses
In a solar eclipse, get time-related energy patterns are driven from the sun into the Earth.
The day returns only during the sky.
Do not ever stare straight at a solar eclipse without proper safeguards since it may damage your eyes.
An eclipse of the moon takes place when the Earth crosses the Moon & the Sun, so blocking the Moon's shadow.
Position: Sun → Earth forces → Moon's location.
Types: Full & Partial Lunar Eclipses
In a lunar eclipse
The Moon seems red, which is sometimes known a "Blood Moon."
Type of Eclipse |
Cause |
Visibility |
Solar Eclipse |
Moon blocks Sun’s light |
Observed from parts of the planet Earth |
Lunar Eclipse |
Earth’s shadow covers the Moon |
At Night Wherever You Are in the World |
Flashlight and global solar & lunar eclipse.
Observe the Moon during a lunar eclipse; write down its shape & color.
A sundial allows you to keep time through shadows.
When the sun is rising or setting, the longest shadow exists.
Your shadow is the shortest at noon.
Like other animals, groundhogs rely on shadows as a way to predict seasons — as on Groundhog Day.
There is no air to refract light on the Moon, so shadows are sharper.
Opaque objects that block light create shadows.
The direction of a shadow and its size are determined by the object's position & the light source.
The rotation of the Earth also influences shadows, so day & night result from it.
Ecliptical events are occasional occures of shadows in space.
Understanding shadows helps us to learn more about light and its effects on the surroundings. Scientific processes aside, shadows give our world charm & enigma. Look at how shadows everywhere change & move.