Have you ever noticed how your shadow seems to change size during the day? Sometimes it’s super long, and other times it’s really short. Let’s find out why that happens!
When you’re outside on a sunny day, you might see a shadow following you around. This shadow happens because your body blocks the sunlight. Since the sunlight can’t pass through you, it creates a dark area behind you. That’s your shadow!
Your shadow doesn’t stay in the same spot all day because the Sun moves across the sky. Well, technically, it’s the Earth that’s moving, but it makes the Sun look like it’s moving. As the Sun changes position, so does your shadow.
Long ago, people used the Sun to tell time. They noticed that the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West every day. By watching the Sun’s path, they could guess the time based on its position in the sky. Pretty cool, right?
Let’s see how a shadow changes throughout the day using a lamp post as an example. Imagine a lamp post that’s about 4 meters tall. Here’s what happens to its shadow:
By watching the lamp post, we can see some patterns:
Now you know that shadows change in length and direction during the day because of the Sun’s position in the sky. So, next time you’re outside, take a look at your shadow and see if you can guess what time it is!
Shadow Tracking Adventure: Go outside with a friend or family member at different times of the day. Use a piece of chalk to trace your shadow on the ground. Label each shadow with the time you traced it. At the end of the day, compare the different shapes and lengths of your shadows. What do you notice about the direction and length of your shadows at different times?
Make Your Own Sun Clock: Create a simple sun clock using a stick and some stones. Place the stick upright in a sunny spot and mark the tip of the shadow with a stone every hour. Watch how the shadow moves and changes length throughout the day. Can you use your sun clock to tell the time?
Shadow Detective: Next time you’re outside, become a shadow detective! Observe the shadows around you and try to guess the time based on their length and direction. Are the shadows long or short? Which direction are they pointing? Check the actual time and see how close your guess was!
