Light makes shadows — Physical education, 4–6 years
Find out why a shadow appears when something blocks light, and why it changes when the light moves.
What makes a shadow?
Light travels from a source, such as the Sun, a lamp or a torch. When an object that light cannot pass through gets in the way, the space behind it receives less light. That darker shape is a shadow.
Why did people study shadows?
Shadows helped people notice that the Sun changes position during the day. By marking the end of a stick’s shadow, they could compare times and directions before clocks were common. The same idea explains why a shadow changes when a lamp moves.
Move the torch
Stand a toy animal 20 centimetres from a wall. Shine a torch from 40 centimetres away, and a shadow appears behind the animal. Move the torch to 20 centimetres away: the shadow grows larger. Move it farther away again: the shadow becomes smaller.
A shadow is not a dark object
A shadow can look like a dark thing lying on the floor, so it is natural to try to pick it up. But a shadow is a place where light is blocked, not a solid object. It changes or vanishes when the light or the object moves.
Where do shadows help?
Trees, umbrellas and buildings make shade by blocking some sunlight, helping people and animals stay cooler. Artists and photographers use shadows to show shape and distance. On a sunny day, your own shadow can also show that light is reaching you from one direction.
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