How are shadows formed

A shadow is formed when light that would normally run in a straight line is being obstructed by an opaque object. Take for example when one stands in the sun, light rays run in straight line about us, but because  we are blocking some of these rays shadows are formed. A shadow can then be described as the dark region left behind an opaque object when that objects blocks all the light. Making a shadow is really simple and most times we make them without even knowing.

Reource

• A light source
• Opaque object

Instruction

1. Set light source on a table in the middle of the room
2. Set the opaque object 5ft from the light source and observe on the wall/floor behind the object.
3. Move the object further away say 7fts away from the light source; observe the shadow now on the wall, that it gets smaller.
4. And in fact when you move the object closer to the light source the shadow that is form get larger.

Tips

• Be sure that the object is opaque and not transparent, as the light will simply pass through this objet and not shadow would have been seen. This is because no light ray was blocked.