- At position B, the Sun is at its highest point in the sky, which typically occurs around noon. This is when the Sun appears directly overhead or closest to being directly overhead, depending on the observer’s latitude and the time of year.
- At position C, the Sun is setting in the west. The light from the Sun is no longer directly illuminating the ground where the stick is located, so the shadow will be very long and pointing eastward, opposite the setting Sun.
- The shadow of the stick will change length and direction throughout the day: shortest at noon (position B) and longest in the early morning and late afternoon (positions A and C). The shadow moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere as the Sun travels across the sky from east to west.
- Shadows are created because the stick blocks sunlight. As the Sun moves across the sky, the angle at which sunlight strikes the stick changes, altering the length and direction of the shadow. When the Sun is low on the horizon (morning or evening), the shadow is elongated; when the Sun is high (noon), the shadow is shortest.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of fifth grade science worksheet free printables.
