Problems Involving Shadows


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Problems Involving Shadows

A shadow is a dark area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it. The cross section of a shadow is a two-dimensional silhouette, or a reverse projection of the object blocking the light.

Problems Involving Shadows : Shadows are formed when the person is obstructing the path of light. In the morning as the Sun rises from the East.

  •  If a person facing towards Sun that is East, the shadow will be towards his back or in West.
  • If a person facing towards South, the shadow will be towards his right. that is West
  • If a person facing towards West, the shadow will be towards his front. or West
  • If a person facing towards North, the shadow will be towards his left which is  West
  • But in the evening as we know the sets in the West. All these directions will be reversed.

  • When two persons facing each other during sunrise, the shadow of both are formed at the left of the person facing north.
  • When two persons facing each other during sunrise, the shadow of both are formed at the right of the person facing south.
  • When two persons facing each other during sunset, the shadow of both are formed at the right of the person facing north.
  • When two persons facing each other during sunset, the shadow of both are formed at the left of the person facing south.
  • Illustration :  In an evening when Suraj started walking from his house, his shadow was exactly towards his right. He walked 6 km. Then he turns to his left and moved 4 km. Again he turns to his right and walked 6 km. Then he turns to his right and moved 13 km. How far is he and in which direction from the starting point ?

    A. 15 km North-East          B. 15 km North              C.  15 km South-East              D.  16 km South             E. 17 km East 

    Answer : A

    Solution : In the evening when the Sun is in the West the shadow is in East In an evening when Suraj started walking from his house, his shadow was exactly towards his right. that means he is facing in North Direction.

  • Then He reaches point B after traversing a distance of 6 Km
  • Then he turns to his left and moved 4 km and reaches point C.
  • Again he turns to his right and walked 6 km and reaches point D
  • Then he turns to his right and moved 13 km and reaches point E
  • The path he has traversed is shown in the figure below

     

    The distance between A and E is calculated using pythagoras theorem

    We see that Delta AFE is a right angled triangle, right angled at F. So AE is the hypotenuse as it is the side opposite to right angle.

    AF= AB + CD = 6 + 6 = 12; km

    FE = DE - BC = 13 - 4 = 9 km

    EA = sqrt {AF^2+EF^2}=sqrt {12^2+9^2}

    .... (More Text Available, Login?)
    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    One evening Ram and Mohan were talking to each other face to face. If the shadow of Mohan was exactly to the right of Mohan, then which direction was Ram facing?

    Right Option : D
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 2

    One morning Mohan and Gaurav were standing opposite to each other. Mohan's shadow fell exactly on his left. Toward which direction was Gaurav facing.

    Right Option : A
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 3

    At sunrise, Rohit is walking towards east. In which direction his shadow formed?

    Right Option : B
    View Explanation
    Explanation
     
     
    Related Videos
    Language - Hindi/English
    Language - Hindi/English

    Language - Hindi/English


    Students / Parents Reviews [10]