Types of Shadows: Explanation and Examples

Key Concepts

• Types of shadows

Introduction: 

All objects but the fully transparent ones form their shadow. In this section, we are going to answer the following questions: 

Does the shadow of an object change its position? 

Does the shadow of an object change its size? 

Explanation: 

Types of Shadows: 

The shadow of an object can be of different sizes and can be formed at different positions. This depends upon the position of the source of light. The source of light can be a torch, a tube light, the sun, a flashlight, etc.  

The position of a shadow depends upon the position of the light source, i.e., the direction of light. A shadow is always formed opposite the light source. 

If the light source is towards the right of the object, its shadow is formed towards its left and vice versa. Similarly, if the light source is towards the top of the object, its shadow is formed at its bottom and vice versa.  

 

Shadows can also be formed in various sizes. This too depends upon the position of the light source.  

For example, during sunrise and sunset, our shadow is the longest in size. However, as the sun goes up, the size of the shadow goes on decreasing and becomes the shortest at noon when the sun is over head. The size of the shadow then goes on increasing again when the sun goes down. 

Questions and Answers: 

1. Identify the position and the size (compared to the size of the object) of the shadow that will be formed in the following cases. Draw the shadow in each case. Use the phrases left, right, down, and up for the shadow’s position and the phrases longest, long, short, and shortest for the shadow size. One has been done for you.

Answer:  

Summary

• The position of a shadow depends upon the position of the light source i.e., the direction of light. 
• A shadow is always formed opposite to the light source. 
• The shadow is the longest during sunrise and the sunset, whereas its size decreases as the sun goes up or goes down. When the sun is overhead, the shadow on an object is the shortest.