Curiosity
The Shadow Geometry
Learners will be able to explain how light source angle and object positioning dictate shadow length and shape.
Before you enter
A complete interactive classroom, not just a preview.
Start when you are ready to enter this Stage's 9 scenes and explore, respond, and learn as you go.
9
Scenes
18 min
Estimated
Why do your shadows stretch and shrink as the day goes by?
What this covers
- light-rays
- Light travels in straight lines until obstructed.
- projection-angle
- The angle between the light source and the ground determines the shadow's length.
Common misconceptions
Many people assume
Shadows change size because the object itself grows or shrinks during the day.
Actually
Demonstrate that the object size remains constant while the projection angle changes the shadow length.
Not covered here
- diffraction
- quantum optics
- complex atmospheric refraction
What you'll be able to do
- Predict shadow length changes for specific light positions.
- Explain the geometric relationship between light angle and shadow.
- Analyze why a theater spotlight or a flashlight at different angles produces varying shadow lengths.
Written for
General curiosity, basic geometry understanding, no specialized physics background.
What happens inside
- 01The Daily Stretchslide
- 02Predicting the Shadowinteractive
- 03The Misconceptionslide
- 04Light Ray Simulationinteractive
- 05The Geometry of Projectioninteractive
- 06Shadow Master Challengeinteractive
- 07Angle Experimentinteractive
- 08Synthesisslide
- 09Beyond the Dayslide
Discussion
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Where this leads
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