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The closer the light source the larger is the shadow.

You can understand this effect using the paraxial aproximation of light theory. If you draw lines from the light source to the edges of an object, there is an angle (call it alpha) between the these lines and the orthonormal vector to the object. The shorter the distance between the light and the object, the higher is alpha (because the height of the object is always the same):

tan(alpha) = (height of the object)/(distance between light and object)

Of course the relationship between the height of the shadow and the angle is the same:

tan(alpha) = (height of the shadow)/(distance to the wall in which the shadow is proyected)

So, the higher the angle alpha (and closer the distance between light and object), the heigher is the shadow.

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15y ago

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How could you change the size of your shadow?

You can either move closer to the light source or move the light source closer to you. The size of your shadow just depends upon how much of the light you are obscuring so the more you block out, the bigger your shadow.


When an object is moved closer to the light source will the shadow become bigger or smaller?

There are many things that could happen when an object is moved nearer to a light or further away. It could change temperatures.


What is silhouette of your friend's head using a projector can you change the size of the shadow?

The closer the light source is to the friend, the bigger the shadow will be. The further the projector is from the wall where you are projecting, the bigger the shadow will be.


Why is your shadow sometimes in front of you and sometimes behind you?

Your shadow will fall in the direction opposite the source of light - with you between the light source and the shadow. The direction of your shadow relative to you will depend on what direction you are facing.If you are facing toward the light source, the shadow will be behind you.If you are facing away from the light source, it will be in front of you.If you have the light source to your right, the shadow will be to your left.If you have the light source to your left, the shadow will be to your right.If the light source is directly above you, the shadow will be directly under you.If you move past a light source, your shadow will move from behind you to beside you and then to in front of you.


Why a fuzzy shadow is formed?

The size of shadow an object casts, is directly related to the position of a light source. the higher up a light source is in relation to the object, the shorter the shadow will be. Shadows cast by objects lit by the sun in the morning or evening are long, because the sun is low in the sky. At mid-day, the shadow is shorter because the sun is higher. Try it yourself with a torch - and see !

Related Questions

How is a shadow enlarged?

A shadow can be enlarged by moving closer to the light source or by increasing the size of the object casting the shadow. The closer the object is to the light source, the larger the shadow will appear.


What happen to the shadow if an object is closer to the source of light?

When object is closer to source of light ,the shadow formed of the object is shorter and darker.


How could you change the size of your shadow?

You can either move closer to the light source or move the light source closer to you. The size of your shadow just depends upon how much of the light you are obscuring so the more you block out, the bigger your shadow.


When are shadows long and short?

closer to light source shadow is bigger when far from the light source shadow is shorter


When you place something close to a light source will it make a big shadow or a small shadow?

The closer an object is to a source of light the larger the shadow it will cast.


How you explain the closer the light source to the object the larger the shadow?

By projecting imaginary lines from the light source to the object, you can explain this geometrically. The closer the light source, the wider the angle formed between the lines, and the wider the angle, the longer the line opposite will be.


Is your shadow bigger or smaller when you are nearer to the light source?

Your shadow is smaller when you are closer to the light source because the angle at which the light hits you creates a shorter shadow. As you move away from the light source, the angle of the light changes, resulting in a longer and larger shadow.


Why does the shadow created by your hand on a wall grows bigger when you move your hand closer to the light source?

When you move your hand closer to the light source, the angle at which the light hits your hand changes. Since the shadow size is directly related to the angle at which light hits the object, the closer your hand is to the light source, the larger the shadow appears. This is because the light rays are more spread out, creating a bigger shadow on the wall.


Is your shadow bigger or smaller when your closer to the sun?

The closer you are to the light the smaller the source of light gets, but at the same time the closer you are to the light the stronger the light. the further you are to the light the weaker the light.


Does a shadow stay the same if the object is closer to the light source?

No, the shadow will appear smaller and sharper if the object is brought closer to the light source. This is because the light rays are hitting the object from a shorter distance, creating a more defined shadow.


What is the size of the shadow and the distance of the object from the light source when a shadow is formed?

If you are using a point light source, the shadow's size is the object's size divided by the distance from the light source to the object multiplied by the distance from the light source to the shadow.


What happens to the shadow when the object moves closer to the light source?

When the object moves closer to the light source, the shadow becomes smaller and more defined. This is because there is less distance for the light to travel between the object and the surface where the shadow is cast. As a result, the shadow appears sharper and its size decreases.