Question

observations table
measure each shadow’s length. in your sketch, draw each shadow and draw an arrow to show the direction of light.

time	morning	midday	afternoon
shadow sketch

reflection questions

1. how did the toy figurine’s shadow’s shape and length differ at midday from in the morning?
2. how did the toy figurine’s shadow’s shape and length differ in the afternoon compared to midday?

Explanation:

1. For the first question (morning vs midday shadow differences):

The toy figurine’s shadow at midday is shorter and more compact (closer to the toy’s shape) than in the morning. This is because the sun is higher in the sky at midday, so light rays are more direct, creating a shorter shadow. In the morning, the sun is lower, so shadows are longer and stretched.

1. For the second question (afternoon vs midday shadow differences):

In the afternoon, the shadow is longer (similar to morning but opposite direction) and stretched, like the morning shadow. The sun is lower again (westward), so light angles create a longer shadow, unlike the short, compact midday shadow.

Answer:

1. At midday, the shadow is shorter and more compact (closer to the toy’s shape) than in the morning. The sun’s higher position at midday causes shorter, direct shadows, while the morning sun (lower, eastward) creates longer, stretched shadows.
2. In the afternoon, the shadow is longer (similar to morning length) and stretched (like morning but westward), unlike midday’s short, compact shadow. The afternoon sun (lower, westward) creates a long shadow, while midday’s high sun creates a short one.