You are here
Question
We do not see the shadow on the ground of a bird flying high in the sky. However, the shadow is seen on the ground when the bird swoops near the ground. Think and explain why it is so.
Show answer
Answer
When the bird is high, its shadow is too faint and spread out to see.
Explanation
- A shadow is sharp when the object is close to the screen.
- High in the sky, the bird is far from the ground.
- So its shadow becomes very faint and blurred.
- When it swoops low, the shadow is close, dark, and clear.
A faraway object gives a faint shadow; a close one gives a sharp shadow.
← Back to concept: 11.4 Shadow Formation
