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One definition of midday is halfway from sunrise to sunset. If the Earth only rotated on its axis, this would be when the Sun is at its highest point. Another definition of midday is when the Sun is at its highest point. Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle, the Sun is due South, so the shadow is due North. This is probably all the answer you need, but there is more.
Because the Earth also orbits around the Sun, the exact moment of midday can be a little different between the two definitions, but they're close.
Between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle, the sun is due North, so the shadow is due South. Between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, the Sun is either due North or due South or directly overhead, depending on the time of year.
North of the Tropic of Cancer, a single day or single night can be longer than 24 hours. Theoretically, if the Sun rises in March and sets in September, midday is in June, but it's not really very meaningful. Similar logic applies South of the Tropic of Capricorn. At the North or South pole, the Sun just circles around the sky for weeks, so the shadow can be any direction.
Notice that midday is not necessarily 12:00. It's usually close, but can be an hour or more different due to standard time zones. The fact that the Earth's orbit is not circular also adds and subtracts a few minutes depending on time of year.
What else can I help you with?
What happens to your shadow's position throughout the day?
Your shadow's position changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation. It is longest in the morning and evening when the sun is low in the sky, and shortest when the sun is directly overhead at noon. The angle of the sun in the sky affects the length and direction of your shadow.
Why your shadow changes during the day?
The position and length of your shadow change throughout the day due to the angle of the sun in the sky. In the morning and evening when the sun is lower in the sky, your shadow will be longer. At midday when the sun is directly overhead, your shadow will be shorter.
Is a shadow usually longer at mind-day than it is just before sunset?
Yes, a shadow is typically longer at mid-day than just before sunset. This is because the sun is directly overhead at mid-day, creating longer shadows due to the angle of the sunlight. As the sun begins to set, the angle of the sunlight changes, resulting in shorter shadows.
What changes during the day but always points away from the sun?
A shadow is what changes during the day but always points away from the sun. The position of a shadow shifts as the sun moves across the sky, causing the direction of the shadow to also change throughout the day.
Is a shadow usually longer at mid day than at sunset?
On the contrary, shadows (at least, those cast by sunlight) would be shortest at mid day and longest at sunset or sunrise, which is a phenomenon you can easily observe for yourself (which is why I have categorized this question under Science Experiments).
How can you tell time from shadows?
If you place yourself on the equator at a the time of an equinox, then at mid day your shadow falls directly under your feet because the Sun is directly above you. As the Sun rises to this position and set form it, you shadow will fall to one side of you and the length of this shadow will depend on the height of the Sun in the sky, the shorter it is the higher the sun will be. Thus from the length and position of your shadow you can tell what time it is. Long shadows happen in the morning or evening and short shadows happen towards mid day.
What causes shadow to change during a day?
the position of the sun
Why does the shadow of the tree keep changing its position?
Because of the position of the Sun during different times of the day
What happens to your shadow's position throughout the day?
Your shadow's position changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation. It is longest in the morning and evening when the sun is low in the sky, and shortest when the sun is directly overhead at noon. The angle of the sun in the sky affects the length and direction of your shadow.
Why your shadow changes during the day?
The position and length of your shadow change throughout the day due to the angle of the sun in the sky. In the morning and evening when the sun is lower in the sky, your shadow will be longer. At midday when the sun is directly overhead, your shadow will be shorter.
Is a shadow usually longer at mind-day than it is just before sunset?
Yes, a shadow is typically longer at mid-day than just before sunset. This is because the sun is directly overhead at mid-day, creating longer shadows due to the angle of the sunlight. As the sun begins to set, the angle of the sunlight changes, resulting in shorter shadows.
How does a shadow work?
A shadow clock, or sundial, tells the time of day using the position of the Sun. The sun casts a shadow from the sundial's style onto a marked surface of hours.
What changes during the day but always points away from the sun?
A shadow is what changes during the day but always points away from the sun. The position of a shadow shifts as the sun moves across the sky, causing the direction of the shadow to also change throughout the day.
How does a shadow clock work?
A shadow clock, also known as a sundial, works by casting a shadow from the sun onto marked hour lines on a plate or surface. As the sun moves across the sky, the position of the shadow changes, indicating the time of day. By tracking the movement of the shadow, one can determine the approximate time.
What time will the shadow of the stick be the shortest?
The shadow of the stick will be the shortest during midday when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. At this time, the angle of the sun's rays hitting the stick is the smallest, resulting in a shorter shadow.
How do the shadow stay the same throughout the day?
Shadows stay the same throughout the day because they are created by the position of the sun relative to the object casting the shadow. As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow's direction and length change, but the shape and size of the object casting the shadow remain constant. This creates the appearance of a consistent shadow.
What is a tool that shows the time of the day by position and length of the shadow the sun casts on a surface called?
Sundial is the term
