Why do shadows change size during the day?

Shadows change size during the day primarily due to the movement of the light source, which is usually the sun. As the sun rises and sets, its position in the sky changes, leading to variations in the angle at which its rays strike objects on Earth. This changing angle of incidence Shadow and Reflection affects the length and size of the shadows cast by objects.


The key factors contributing to the variation in shadow size are:


Sun's Angle: In the morning and evening, when the sun is closer to the horizon, its rays have to pass through a larger portion of the Earth's atmosphere. This results in a more extended path for the light to travel, leading to longer shadows. As the sun climbs higher in the sky during midday, the light rays strike objects more directly, resulting in shorter shadows.


Shadow Projection: When the sun is low on the horizon, objects cast longer shadows because the light has to cover more distance to reach the object and create a shadow on the ground. Conversely, when the sun is directly overhead (near noon), shadows appear much shorter since the light rays hit the objects more vertically.


Object Height: The height of the object also influences the length of the shadow it casts. Taller objects, given the same sun angle, will produce longer shadows compared to shorter objects.


Time of Year: The length of daylight changes throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. Consequently, the angle of the sun and the lengths of shadows also vary with the seasons.






These changes in shadow size throughout the day create dynamic patterns of light and dark, affecting the visual appearance of our surroundings and contributing to the beauty of natural landscapes.


Shadow Projection: When the sun is low on the horizon, objects cast longer shadows because the light has to cover more distance to reach the object and create a shadow on the ground. Conversely, when the sun is directly overhead (near noon), shadows appear much shorter since the light rays hit the objects more vertically.