Shadows

Shadows

How are shadows formed?

As we saw earlier, light is obstructed by certain materials. Light travels in a straight line. Hence it cannot go around such objects. That is why we see shadow. Shadow is always against, opposite side of light source. It is caused by opaque objects that stop light from propagating.

Parts of shadow

When an opaque object is placed in the path of light from a point source, a uniform dark shadow will appear on the screen. This is shadow

is called as umbra. When an opaque object is placed in the path of light coming from a broad source of light, a small umbra will appear on the screen and an illuminated shadow area appears around umbra. This illuminated shadow area is called as penumbra. The penumbra always surrounds the umbra. The umbra is the darkest part of a shadow. In this part, light rays are completely prevented by the opaque object. The lighter shade of shadow is the penumbra.

Properties of shadow

1. All objects do not form shadows. Only opaque objects form shadows

2. Shadows will be formed in the opposite side of light source

3. It cannot be determined the characteristics of an object by its shadow.

4. The shadow will be always darker, whatever may be the color of light rays

5. Light source, opaque object are shadow all are in a straight line.

6. The size of shadow depends upon the distance between light source and object and the distance between object and the screen.

ACTIVITY 5

Requirement : A white screen, a cylindrical opaque object and three bulbs in different sizes.

Use the three different size lamps and examine the umbra and penumbra formed. Keep the distance between the lamp and the cylinder, cylinder and the screen same. As the size of the lamps grow smaller, the umbra region begins to enlarge. If the size of the lamp is a point, then there will be no penumbra. There would be only umbra shadow. Can you tell what the reason is for that?